City of Woodbine Receives Grant

WOODBINE, KANSAS- At its Monday night meeting, Woodbine City Council members were surprised to receive a $57,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Dickinson County – Tracy W. Gatch Unrestricted Operating Legacy Fund. The grant funds will tuckpoint the walls of the Woodbine Gymnasium, which the community uses for special events. 

“We are beyond excited to receive this generous gift,” said MarySue Roller, Mayor. “This grant will help us ensure the building is available for many years to come.”

According to Elizabeth Weese, Community Foundation of Dickinson County director, Gatch, a former Woodbine resident, left his $2.5 million estate to the Foundation. The gift is the largest unrestricted operating gift in the Foundation’s history.

“We are happy to make this grant to Woodbine and know Tracy would be pleased, though the monies were left for operations of the Foundation, we truly felt we wanted to honor Tracy by doing something for the community of Woodbine in his memory,” Weese said.

Larry Lawrenz Construction, Herington, will complete the work on the building. Once completed, the City plans to explore additional opportunities to enhance the building for future use.

“Current and former Woodbine students and residents have very fond memories of the Woodbine Gym,” Roller said. “It is important for us to invest in maintaining the building for future events and generations.”

Built in the 1950s, the Woodbine Gymnasium is used for community events.