Kroger Donates $3M to University of Louisville Indoor Baseball Facility

The Kroger Louisville Division announced this week that it is donating $3 million toward the construction of an indoor baseball practice facility at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky. The facility will be built onto the campus’ Jim Patterson Stadium.

The gift will come in yearly $300,000 installments over 10 years. The university is still seeking funds for the facility, which will cost an estimated $12 million. It has not yet established a timetable for construction, but design plans indicate a 28,000–35,000-square-foot facility featuring an indoor artificial turf surface, a pitching lab, and sufficient space for an entire infield.

“Kroger has made an amazing difference in the community, across campus, and by supporting our student athlete experience,” said Vince Tyra, University of Louisville Vice President/Director of Athletics. “We have a number of shared values that led us to today’s announcement of Kroger’s lead gift toward an indoor performance facility for our baseball team.”

“We are proud to announce our gift of $3 million to be donated toward the construction of the new indoor baseball practice facility here at Jim Patterson Stadium,” said Ann Reed, Division President of Kroger Louisville. “This new facility will help ensure the best recruits and talent come right here to Louisville.”

Other Kroger donations to University of Louisville athletics include sponsorship of the Governor’s Cup trophy (awarded to the winner of the yearly Kentucky-Louisville football game) and $10,000 in scholarships annually since 1994.

“This is a great day for the Louisville baseball program,” said the university’s head baseball coach, Dan McDonnell. “Our program is all about excellence, a value that we share with Kroger. Excellence in the classroom, on the diamond, and in this great community. We want to express our gratitude to Ann Reed and the Kroger family for their commitment to Louisville baseball and our continued pursuit of excellence.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

    Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.

  • DFW-Area District Opens New Replacement Middle School

    The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District near Fort Worth, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new replacement middle school campus, according to a news release. The new facility for Wayside Middle School, originally established in 1964, was built on the site of the former district administration building and funded through Bond Proposition A in 2023.