Rotary Club of Fallbrook: treating teachers to back-to-school barbeque; donating to Ingold Sports Park for field naming rights

The Rotary Club of Fallbrook has shown its unwavering community spirit and commitment to worthy endeavors once again. On Thursday, Aug. 13, the club hosted a picnic-style barbecue for the teachers and employees of Fallbrook Union Elementary School District.

"The Rotary Club of Fallbrook is pleased to recognize those employees and teachers in our schools who take such good care of our children," said Rotary president Rex Bright.

In tandem with the barbecue, the club also celebrated the renaming of the Ingold Sports Park softball field which will now carry the name "Rotary Field" in honor of the Rotary Club of Fallbrook.

Bob Tavano, who is president of the Fallbrook Sports Association which operates Ingold Sports Park, said the Rotary Club of Fallbrook elected to participate in a fundraising effort for the athletic facility by making a sizable contribution for naming rights to one of the fields. Tavano, who is also a member of the Rotary club, explained that about 3,500 individuals use the athletic fields each week.

"People think we are county-funded or a for-profit park and we aren't," said Tavano. "We have to raise every dollar to keep everything going."

Ingold Sports Park sits on leased land. "We are on County of San Diego airport land; we pay $2,300 per month in rent," explained Tavano. "We put a cell tower in which provides $2,300 per month in revenue – so that handles the rent." All other expenses and maintenance rely on fundraising.

"We are now doing a fundraising campaign where people or organizations can have a banner on a certain field (naming rights) for a specific donation," he said. "We have four fields – a big soccer field, a senior softball field, an indoor soccer arena, and a soccer/baseball field." It was the softball field that Rotary Club of Fallbrook stepped up to sponsor.

The financial commitment to earn naming rights to a field is $3,000 per year with a three-year commitment.

If an organization, family, or business is looking for some exposure at the facility for a smaller financial commitment, there are those options as well.

"There are various banner options available for others who would like to get involved and support the fields," said Tavano.