Cardinals grant $250K for new turf field at Phoenix elementary school

The Arizona Cardinals, along with the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program, recently handed out a $250,000 grant to the Alhambra Elementary School District for the installation of a new synthetic turf football field at James W. Rice Elementary School in Phoenix.

The grant is part of $6 million in field refurbishment awards and will go toward a new multi-sport playing field for the 2,100 students and youth players to enjoy, the team announced.

“The installation of this field will positively impact generations of young people and we are proud to play a part in making it happen,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a press release Wednesday.

“We understand how sports and physical activity of all kinds contribute to establishing a healthy lifestyle. This new field will provide opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible and that is extremely exciting.”

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program — a partnership between the NFL Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) — has supported the construction or renovation of 416 football fields nationwide since 1998, granting nearly $58 million to revitalize playing fields in underserved neighborhoods.

Renovations to playing fields have included irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf.

“We’re grateful for the support of the NFL Foundation, now partnering with us to fund their 16th field renovation in the Phoenix area,” LISC Phoenix executive director Terry Benelli said in the release.

“Students at James W. Rice Elementary and throughout the Alhambra community will make great use of their new synthetic field from everyday play to league tournaments.”

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