SCOTTSDALE, AZ (February 26, 2025) – In partnership with Salt River Project (SRP), the Fiesta Sports Foundation unveiled its latest playground build, adding to the community at Hope Women's Center in Coolidge. The new 1,700+ square foot playground will benefit children in the center's service areas of Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande and surrounding communities.

With a ribbon-cutting to officially complete the build on Friday, February 21, the Fiesta Sports Foundation celebrated its 15th playground build statewide and fifth in partnership with SRP.

"Bringing playgrounds to communities in need directly ties into the Fiesta Sports Foundation's mission of serving through our pillars of youth, sports and education. All great programs that involve youth need to be accompanied by quality playspaces to enhance personal development," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Chief of Staff and Vice President of Community Investment Kristina Chumpol. "All kids need the opportunity to be kids! A playground offers that and so much more and we can't wait to see the families at Hope Women's Center experience it."

For the first time since the Hope Women's Center opened its Coolidge location in 2013, a fully-functional playground will be available. It replaces a dirt patch area that was not safe for play, giving a much-needed addition. More than 50 volunteers helped bring to life a design inspired by the children and women themselves with their dreams and artwork providing the framework for the build.

"SRP is proud to partner with the Fiesta Sports Foundation for this year's annual playground build at Hope Women's Center in Coolidge," said Michelle Speer, Senior Community Engagement Strategist at SRP. "By establishing a fun and secure play area for children, we are not only building a playground – we are nurturing an environment where mothers can focus on education, mentorship and personal growth, knowing their children can enjoy a safe space to play."

The Coolidge location, one of six Hope Women's Center locations across Arizona, recently started a youth program for children from birth through five-years old and the new playground will play a part in that programming.

In addition to the playground, a custom mural was painted on-site by Lakota Mossey, an art teacher at Scottsdale's Liberty Elementary School and 2024 Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers recipient.

Founded in 1984 in Apache Junction as a small crisis pregnancy center, Hope Women's Center has provided a safe haven for at-risk women and girls for more than 40 years. Hope Women's Center serves, teaches and supports vulnerable women and teen girls during life's difficult situations through one-on-one mentoring, educational programs, counseling and more.

In addition to its six locations, Hope Women's Center partners with local nonprofits to bring services to women who may not have access to one of its physical centers through the Hope on the Road program.

Since its beginnings, Hope Women's Center has impacted more than 9,000 lives.

"We are so grateful to Fiesta Sports Foundation and SRP for their generous provision of an incredible playground for the children and families that come to Hope Women's Center," said Hope Women's Center Chief Executive Officer Tammy Abernethy. "While moms take classes and receive healing and support, their children now have an amazing place to play, laugh and dream! Thank you Fiesta Sports Foundation and SRP for your support of women and children in our Coolidge community!"

The playground will serve the needs in Coolidge for years to come, reinforcing the Fiesta Sports Foundation's commitment to serving all of Arizona. With the first playground build in Pinal County completed, it joins previous playgrounds built in Mohave County, Maricopa County, Yavapai County and Pima County since 2016.

ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable resources to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.

ABOUT SRP
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving more than 1 million customers. SRP is also the metropolitan area's largest supplier of water, delivering about 750,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users. To learn more, visit srpnet.com.