SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 6, 2026) – Fiesta Sports Foundation, in partnership with Salt River Project (SRP), held a ribbon-cutting at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community's Komatke Branch to officially unveil its 17th playground build across Arizona.

Fiesta Sports Foundation and SRP partnered to provide the Komatke Branch with a 1,358 square foot playground featuring climbing ladders and two slides. The design and components were born from input by the Club's youth members during a "design day" brainstorming session, with the final playground reflecting the elements deemed most important by the children who will use it every day.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community provides safe places for young people to learn, thrive and grow into productive, caring members of their community. Fiesta Sports Foundation is honored to contribute to this important mission with a new playground alongside our partners at SRP," said Kristina Chumpol, Fiesta Sports Foundation Chief Impact Officer and Chief of Staff. "Club members who walk through these doors every day deserve positive spaces where they can simply play, be kids and grow, and we are so excited to see the impact this playground will have on the community for years to come."

The Club's existing playground had been closed for four years, declared unsafe by the tribal safety department. Now, more than 100 young people who attend the Club every day will have a state-of-the-art custom play space to call their own.
In addition to being the 17th playground built by Fiesta Sports Foundation across the state of Arizona, it is the seventh in partnership with SRP. Most recently, the two organizations collaborated to build a playground at Family Promise's Legacy Village in Glendale.

"SRP is proud to partner with the Fiesta Sports Foundation to help reopen a playground that has been closed for four years. This effort provides children from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community with a safe place to play and grow," said Michelle Speer, senior community engagement strategist at SRP. "We are honored to support the Gila River Indian Community and to work with organizations that help build stronger and more prosperous communities for our state."

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community serves Native American youth in Arizona at three Club locations. Clubs like the Komatke Branch provide safe, fun and affordable places for young people aged 5-18 to go when school is out, and when they attend Boys & Girls Clubs, their outcomes increase dramatically. Compared to their peers, Arizona Club members are more likely to graduate high school, are better prepared for the workforce and are equipped to make a positive impact on their communities. State-of-the-art facilities like this new playground are integral to having more youth and teens participate in Club activities and retaining existing members.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community extends its sincere appreciation to the Fiesta Sports Foundation and SRP for their generous support through this playground build," said Mark Clavell, BGCGRIC chief operating officer. "In a world where young people need space to simply be kids, opportunities for play remain essential to fostering healthy, well-rounded development. The new playground will serve as a vibrant hub for our Club members and neighborhood children – a place to learn, explore and build meaningful connections."
 
ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been 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 to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.

ABOUT SRP
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about 2.5 million Valley residents, delivering 260 billion gallons of water (800,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, irrigation laterals, and 131 miles of canals.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gila River Indian Community is an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people across the Gila River Indian Community to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Through safe, supportive, and culturally grounded programs, the Clubs provide daily access to academic support, leadership development, character-building experiences, sports and recreation, and essential life-skills education.
With a commitment to honoring O'odham and Pee-Posh traditions, the Clubs create an inclusive environment where youth can grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. The organization serves children and teens with high-quality programs led by trained, compassionate staff who are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the community. To learn more, visit GRICBGC.org.