FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2004

CONTACT:
Lisa Lacher, Drake University, 271-3119 or 202-1773, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Steve Berry, Prairie Meadows, 967-1231, steve.berry@prairiemeadows.com

PRAIRIE MEADOWS DONATES $1 MILLION FOR DRAKE STADIUM REVITALIZATION

PROJECT TO HAVE $300 MILLION IMPACT ON LOCAL ECONOMY

Drake University has cleared another hurdle in the race to revitalize Drake Stadium with today's announcement that Prairie Meadows is donating $1 million over five years to the $11 million project.

Drake University President David Maxwell announced the gift, which will help the University bring the track up to contemporary international standards and attract regional and national track and field competitions with an economic impact of more than $300 million over 10 years.

"We are extremely grateful Prairie Meadows for the generous commitment of $1 million toward the revitalization of Drake Stadium," President Maxwell said. "This project is not just about Drake University - it has tremendous potential to enhance the economic vitality and the visibility of Des Moines by making the city the track and field capital of the Midwest."

Bob Farinella, president, CEO and general manager of Prairie Meadows, said, "Drake Stadium is home of one of the world's most exciting sporting events - the Drake Relays. Athletes from football to track and field have competed in this stadium for 78 years. Prairie Meadows believes we need to show our support and commitment to bringing this track up to contemporary standards that will continue to attract competitions nationally.

"The impact this stadium has had and will continue to bring to our community is enormous. Prairie Meadows mission is to provide support for our community. We understand that, by serving as an economic development engine, every central Iowan benefits. And today, we share that commitment with this community by presenting $1 million dollars to the renovation of the Drake Stadium."

Drake Stadium has played host to hundreds of world-class athletes over the years, including Jesse Owens, Frank Shorter, Carl Lewis, Gwen Torrence, Kevin Little, Natasha Kaiser-Brown and Brian Brown.

Kaiser-Brown, a two-time Olympian who competed in 16 Drake Relays, serves as head men's and women's track coach at Drake as well as honorary co-chair of the stadium fundraising campaign's Leadership Team.

"The new stadium will not only provide an awesome atmosphere for the athletes but for the fans as well," Kaiser-Brown said. "New bleachers, concessions and modern rest rooms will definitely enhance the Drake Relays experience.

"Having competed in so many Drake Relays - and each one is special - I really treasure the memories I have of the old stadium," she added. "But the new memories that will be generated for athletes who compete here will be just as exciting. The revitalized stadium and the Relays will definitely help us with recruiting. If you're a track athlete, and you're thrilled about academics and competing in a stadium with a rich tradition and up-to-date facilities, we'll have all that. It's a nice little package."

Athletes competing in the Relays appreciate the stadium's intimate atmosphere, the enthusiastic and dedicated fans and the experienced volunteers who help the meet run smoothly year after year, said Brian Brown, assistant men's and women's track coach at Drake and a former world-class high jumper who holds the Relays special invitational record of 7-7. "Drake Relays has a long tradition of excellence," he added, "and it will be wonderful to have an excellent facility for the Relays as well."

With Prairie Meadows' support, the revitalization effort has received $8.2 million in gifts and pledges toward the $11 million needed for Phase I of the project, President Maxwell said. The first phase, scheduled to begin in May 2005, will deal with structural concerns, reconfiguration of the track, construction of the throw and jump venues, installation of artificial turf and field lighting, relocation and upgrading of the scoreboard and renovation of the press box.

Phase I will position Drake and Des Moines to bid successfully for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, beginning with the 2007 Regionals and followed by the National Championships in three successive years, 2008-2010. The estimated economic impact of these events, along with AAU and USA Track and Field events that have expressed strong interest in coming to Des Moines and the ongoing Drake Relays, will be in excess of $300 million over 10 years, President Maxwell said. "An $11 million investment that produces a $300 million return is pretty exciting arithmetic," he added.