Prairie Meadows Supports DMPS Projects and Priorities

From a new stadium to an art studio to an outdoor learning space, Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino has awarded grants to a variety of projects at Des Moines Public Schools this year. Recipients of grants were recognized today at the annual Prairie Meadows and Polk County Community Impact luncheon.

Prairie Meadows awarded six grants totaling nearly a half-million dollars to DMPS. The largest was a Legacy Grant for $300,000 in support of the new DMPS stadium being built on the campus of Drake University. The new stadium, scheduled to open in the Fall of 2023, will be used by high school football and soccer teams along with other secondary school activities and also serve as the home of Drake’s soccer program.

“Our goal for these grants is to be the catalyst that sparks change in our community and improves the lives of our neighbors. Our Legacy Grants provide funding in the range of $100,000 to $1 million for large scale, signature projects. We are proud to support Des Moines Public Schools as one of our 2022 grant recipients,” said Gary Palmer, President & CEO of Prairie Meadows.

In addition, three Youth Sports and Recreation Grants, each for $50,000, were presented to the school district. The grants will be used for high school athletic uniforms, middle school athletic uniforms, and high school sports safety equipment. These funds will help more than 3,500 secondary students who participate in the 21 sports offered at DMPS.

Finally, two Community Betterment Grants, each for $20,000, were also presented to DMPS. One grant is for the Central Academy Empowering Arts Project, in support of the second phase of the school’s state-of-the-art ceramic arts studio. The other grant is for the Harding Middle School courtyard, to support renovating the area into an outdoor classroom and performance space.

“As a nonprofit organization, Prairie Meadows fulfills its purpose by giving back to organizations that support arts and culture, education, economic development, and human services. We are excited to see the impact these projects at Des Moines Public Schools will have on our central Iowa community,” said Julie Stewart, Prairie Meadows Vice President of Community Relations.

“The success of a school district relies on the support of its community, and we are grateful that Prairie Meadows is our partner and supporter in helping DMPS do more and do better for our students and families,” added Matt Smith, interim superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.