NFL Grant to Help Build Flint, Michigan Sports Complex

Flint, Mich. will begin construction on a sports complex thanks in part to a grant from the National Football League.

According to MLive, the $250,000 grant, from the NFL’s Foundation Grassroots Program, the Detroit Lions and Local Initiatives Support Corporation to the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, will go toward building the Flint Sports Complex.

The domed facility will be built behind the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village, a community center on the north side of Flint.

“We plan on breaking ground pretty soon, so once we have our timeline hashed out we’re going to have that out for the community,” Sylvester Broome executive director Maryum Rasool told MLive, noting that the intention is to provide a safe place for the community. “We plan on having not only a football field indoors, but we’re also going to have other activities like basketball and soccer.”

“It’s of the utmost importance to us at the Detroit Lions to aid in access to safe, healthy play throughout Michigan,” said Jen McCollum, the Senior Director of Community Relations and Detroit Lions Charities. “This investment will pay dividends in the community now and in the future.”

Charlotte Smith, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s deputy director in Flint, said that Sylvester Broome put together an impressive grant application and the funds will be put to good use.

“The new Flint Sports Complex at Sylvester Broome will benefit more than 25,000 youth athletes and thousands of Flint residents who will use the new facility for community events,” Smith said. “The LISC Flint staff are excited to have played a role in this new domed, year-round facility becoming an integral part of the north Flint community.”