The campaign to build a new Robert Crown Community Center, Turf Park, and Library has secured a transformative $500,000 sponsorship commitment from Wintrust Bank. The initiative has now officially raised more than $7 million in gifts and pledges, all before architects have even finalized a design for the new facility and park.
“We’re proud to give back to an organization that does so much for our community,” said Bill Lynch, President and CEO of Wintrust Bank. “As a community bank, we’re dedicated to bettering our local area. By supporting Robert Crown, we can give our kids another place to learn, have fun and grow. That’s something we’re really excited be a part of.”
“We couldn’t be more grateful for Wintrust’s incredible generosity, vision, and leadership,” said Daniel Stein, Board President of the Friends of the Robert Crown Center. “With this gift, they have declared for all to see how committed they are to Evanston’s families and institutions. We look forward to partnering with Wintrust to strengthen our community for years to come.”
Wintrust’s gift will be spread over multiple years and will be recognized with a prominent naming opportunity within the new community center building or the exterior park. The specific opportunity will be determined after the project’s architects complete their preliminary design.
Friends of the Robert Crown Center(FRCC) is the community group spearheading fundraising efforts to build a new $30 million Robert Crown Community Center. The City of Evanston and the Evanston Public Library have available bond financing of $10 million and $2.5 million respectively, leaving $17.5 million to be raised through private donations, sponsorships, and institutional program partnerships.
The Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, was built in 1974, funded largely by a significant lead donation from the Crown family. The center serves as a venue for many sports, including hockey, speed skating, figure skating, soccer, football, lacrosse, and basketball. It also hosts summer camps, preschool activities, tutoring initiatives, lunch, and nutrition programs, community meetings, and other public services. The Crown Center is the City of Evanston’s most used health and wellness facility.