Maine Winter Sports Center Announces Major Gift

Presque Isle native, Mary Smith, has given a gift that, if matched, could generate up to $900,000, enough to guarantee continuation of programming.

Presque Isle, Maine – A little over three weeks ago the Maine Winter Sports Center announced a reorganization that would require it to secure a new source of funding for its programs beyond April 30, 2014. Since that time we have been working to secure that new funding and committed to ensuring the programs continue.

“The Libra Foundation has been a remarkable partner for 15 years,” said Andy Shepard, President and CEO of the MWSC. “The legacy of that support can be seen in the world-class venues that continue to bring the world to Maine and in the world-class programs that are impacting thousands of kids and their families across the state. The time has come for Libra to focus on other initiatives around the state and for the MWSC to define a new funding model for our programming. Mary’s remarkable gift is a major step in that direction.”

Mary Smith is a Presque Isle native, now living in California and has made other significant gifts within the Presque Isle area over the years, including the soon-to-be-completed construction of Northern Maine Community College’s Rodney Smith Wellness Center. The Center is named in honor of Smith’s late husband, a pioneer in the semiconductor industry.

“Mary has offered a $100,000 gift and an additional $400,000 matching grant,” said Shepard. “The steps are now in place to secure operations for next year. While this is a critical first step, it is just that-a first step. Mary is hoping this gift will encourage the entire state of Maine to embrace the importance of what we do and to understand that our future success will depend on a lot of helping hands. We will need to secure the matching gifts in the next 2 months to get the job done.”