Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI� community project and sponsors announced

While RAGBRAI® may be known as a challenging athletic adventure and all around party atmosphere, it is also a venture that supports the state and the communities through which riders pass each year.

All proceeds from Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® festivities will go to support a new universally-accessible playground near the new Northwest Recreation Center in the Time Check Neighborhood.

A growing trend, universally-accessible playgrounds are all-inclusive and are designed for residents of all ages and abilities-especially children with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities-to be able to enjoy.

Such a playground is more expensive than a traditional playground because of special universally-accessible features, such as rubber base flooring, rather than wood chips; rollerslides and roller tables, instead of traditional slides; double wide ramps that can accommodate multiple wheelchairs; specially-designed swings, gliders and spinners; and sensory play panels and discovery walls. The estimated cost of the playground is about $120,000.

This will be one of the first playgrounds of its kind in Cedar Rapids. A similar playground has already been installed at Indian Creek Elementary School in Marion.

“Residents can take pride in the fact that supporting the RAGBRAI events in Cedar Rapids, by buying a concert ticket or merchandise, also benefit our community. They will be helping kids of all abilities in our community play together on this special playground,” said Mayor Ron Corbett.

To date, many local businesses and organizations have stepped up as sponsors of Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI including:

SPONSORS

Alliant Energy; Linn County; ITC; General Mills; Eastern Iowa Airport; Rockwell Collins; United Fire Group; Aspect Architecture and Design; Epicor Proactive Health Products(Diamond V); Physicians' Clinic of Iowa, P.C.; St. Luke's Hospital; Transamerica; Kirkwood Community College; TrueNorth; Built By Pros; CarePro Health Services; Hills Bank and Trust Company; McGrath Automotive; Mercy Medical Center; Nordstrom; US Bank; Van Meter; Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency; Bankers Trust; Bradley and Riley PC; Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust; Frew Nations Group; Guaranty Bank; Iowa Realty; Limolink; Phillip Pharmacies; Skogman Companies; and Stamats Communication Inc.

IN-KIND SPONSORS

Altorfer, Inc.; Century Link; CornerStone Press; Hy-Vee; MediaQuest Outdoor; ME&V Advertising and Consulting; Miron Construction Co., Inc.; Pierson's Flower Shop and Greenhouses; RexCo Equipment, Inc.; Schneider Golf Carts; and United Way of East Central Iowa

MEDIA PARTNERS

SourceMedia, KGAN/KFXA, KDAT 104.5 , KHAK 98.1 , KRNA 94.1 , i107.1, KGYM-AM 1600, KZIA 102.9, KKRQ 100.7 and WMT AM 600/95.7 FM

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Cedar Rapids and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

If businesses are interested in becoming a part of this great community event, please contact Candy Nanke at cnanke@communitypartnerscr.com or 319-730-3360.

Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Mission Statement

The Cedar Rapids community will work together to provide an exceptional overnight stay for 2012 RAGBRAI® participants and friends. We will provide a safe, welcoming, and fun environment promoting local businesses and highlighting community assets. The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® event will be financially self-sustaining. Learn more at www.CedarRapidsRAGBRAI.com.

RAGBRAI®

Des Moines Register Media owns and produces RAGBRAI®, a trek across Iowa that's the world's oldest, largest and longest annual bicycle ride. RAGBRAI® riders will overnight in Sioux Center, Cherokee, Lake View, Webster City, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, Anamosa and Clinton this year.

###