Dear Members,
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that we will be honoring Clark Sports Center as the recipient of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Award in recognition of their programs and services to the promotion of healthy living. The Clark Sports Center is a health and recreation facility that began its impressive history in 1891. For 128 years the Clark family/Foundation have made a commitment to providing healthy living opportunities to Cooperstown and the surrounding area. Most recently the facility has doubled in size and is state-of-the-art with the latest equipment. The Sports Center has significantly contributed to the quality of life in this area by providing amazing programs and opportunities for the local population to attain a healthier lifestyle. According to our members, they are in better shape, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and have impressed their primary care physicians. Their energy and mental health has also improved through social interaction with others. Afterschool programs provide children with appropriate exercise options, promote sportsmanship and fair play, and provide much needed afterschool care for families.
The Board of The Clark Foundation is fully engaged and deeply committed to the extended Cooperstown area. The ‘giving” culture and commitment trickles down through Jane Clark, the Board, and Sports Center staff straight to members and guests. Doubling the size of the building indicates a positive commitment to the health and wellbeing of this area. Upon opening the new version of the Sports Center the number of members increased from 3,600 to 5,500. There are also 140 staff members who are dedicated to the mission and vision as well as many dedicated volunteers.
The Sports Center has strong connections with area schools, Pathfinder Village, Springbrook, ARC, homeschooled children, the Red Cross, and Bassett Healthcare to name a few. Innovative programming includes the Power to Survive program for recovering cancer patients and the Evolve program which is follow-up physical therapy for those whose health insurance is limited and are no longer able to be a patient in the physical therapy clinic.
The Clark Sports Center was recently named “Business of the Year” by the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the Chamber Hall of Fame. The New York State Recreation and Park Society awarded the Sports Center with their prestigious “Exceptional Facility Design” award.
Information Systems Division, Inc. (ISD ) is the recipient of the Environmental Stewardship Award of The Otsego County Chamber. This award honors ISD for enhancing Otsego County’s environment through recycling electronic waste as ISD was on the forefront of electronic waste recycling through the partnership with Ewaste+ since 2011 for electronic waste products. Over 84,000 lbs of electronic waste has been responsibly recycled. ISD also established an alliance with Opportunities for Otsego to recycle used cell phones and accessories. This program is at no cost to consumers, however, helps fund their Violence Intervention Program.
We look forward to honoring and celebrating with our award winners on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Clark Sports Center with our theme “The Best of Otsego County” with a Summer Soiree reception beginning at 5:45p.m. Invitations will be sent out to our members with further details to register on Monday July 29, 2019. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding award winners for their positive contributions to the quality of life in Otsego County for all.
