Mount Vernon Activities Complex

Click on the video below to see responses from student-athletes, parents, a former drum-major, and more when asked, "What would it have meant to you to have a facility like this?" 

Click on the video below for an interview with Independence Activities Director, Justin Putz, to learn about the impact of facilities on students, staff, the District, and community. 

Timeline: Spring of 2024 Cost: ~$6.00 million

We believe this to be a pivotal time in our Mount Vernon community. For the first time in over a decade, there is substantial residential growth. The long-awaited Highway 30 bypass is completed and is transforming the southern landscape of our community. In January 2020, the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center (LBC) opened, thanks in part to more than $2 million in generous philanthropic support. Considerable progress has been made on our school district campus as well, including:

• a tennis court complex that was completed in the summer of 2018

• classroom additions and building improvements in the elementary, middle and high school buildings completed during the 2019-20 school year

• an 800+ seat performing arts center completed in the spring of 2020

• a new elementary playground completed in the summer of 2020

What an exciting time in Mount Vernon! While we celebrate this significant momentum, we feel there is a missing piece – a multi-activities complex on the Mount Vernon Community School District campus. There is a culture of excellence in Mount Vernon Schools that spreads from the classroom, to the stage and onto the athletic fields. We desire to build a multiactivities complex that fosters that culture of excellence and ultimately allows it to thrive. It is with that in mind that we have embarked upon a philanthropic campaign to raise the necessary support to make this project a reality – for our community and for generations of Mustangs to come. A football field and an eight-lane track that allows us to have a true "home" and for our Mustang boys and girls track athletes to host a home meet. A turf field that provides a suitable practice environment for our sports teams and marching band. A facility directly adjacent to MVHS encouraging daily utilization by high school teachers. We invite you to join us as we build a facility that will help shape our Mount Vernon Community.

Click HERE for a list of our FAQ's. 

This project will be funded through a combination of district funding and private donations. Our goal with fundraising is to do all that we can to offset the district’s investment in the project, allowing those funds to be directed to other worthwhile school initiatives. In addition, strong philanthropic support will help ensure we are equipped to make this facility the best it can be for our community.

• Phase 1 goal: $1 million by October 2021 (COMPLETED)

• Phase 2 goal: $1.75 million by December 2022 (COMPLETED)

• Phase 3 goal: $2.0 million by September 2023

Contributions are tax-deductible and will be recognized in the following ways:

• Major Donors: gifts of $15,000 or more

• Founding Donors: gifts of $10,000 - $14,999

• Leading Donors: gifts of $5,000 - $9,999

• Mustang Donors: gifts of $1,000 - $4,999

• Maroon & White Donors: gifts up to $999

There are a limited number of special recognition opportunities available for gifts of $15,000 or more. To learn more about the opportunities listed below, please contact Matt Thede at mthede@mvcsd.org. Kindly note that these opportunities will be reserved as gifts and commitments are received.

It is an honor to engage our Mount Vernon community in this philanthropic effort. We respectfully invite you to join us and consider a gift, which can be made payable over three years - 2021/2022/2023/2024. With your help, we can make this project a reality for our Mount Vernon community. On Mount Vernon!

Click HERE to give online

To support this initiative, checks can be made payable to MVCSD Foundation and mailed to MVCSD Foundation, 525 Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon, IA, 52314. You can also make a gift online HERE. Please identify that the gift is for the activities complex. Please reach out to Matt Thede if you'd like to explore a gift of securities (mthede@mvcsd.org).