Travel Oregon presented a check for $5,000 to the Prefontaine Memorial Committee at halftime of the Dec. 4 Marshfield-North Bend boys varsity basketball game at Marshfield High in Coos Bay.
As a successful applicant for one of Travel Oregon's 16 Matching Grants Program awards, the Prefontaine Memorial Committee was awarded funds for its Prefontaine Hometown Project. The Matching Grants Program supports new projects that will improve local economies and communities by enhancing, expanding and promoting Oregon’s tourism and hospitality industry.
The winning project will entail a series of historical plaques to be placed along the race route, each containing an image of Steve Prefontaine and a different quote or record that he held. Along with the plaques, brochures will be produced that provide information about his legendary local history and world-class accomplishments, as well as points of interest in Coos Bay, including the Prefontaine Track at Marshfield and his burial site at Sunset Memorial Park.
Marshfield High School alum and current Travel Oregon chief strategy officer Scott West (far left in photo) presented the check to Bob Huggins (second from left), executive director of the Prefontaine Memorial Committee. Prefontaine Committee member Cap Sharples (third from left) and Marshfield cross country coach Jay Farr (speaking) were among those present at the ceremony.
Click here to read an article about the presentation from The World newspaper.
Travel Oregon would like to thank Katherine Hoppe of the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitors & Convention Bureau for all of her work on this project.