National Museum Of Polo Fundraising Goal
- Parent Category: POLO CLUBS
- Uploaded by Susan Robb Grand Champion Polo Club
- Published in Polo Club News
- Hits: 26209
- Print,
National Museum Of Polo Reaching Fundraising Goal, Donations Still Welcome
Written by: Sharon Robb | Grand Champions Polo Club http://gcpoloclub.com/
WELLINGTON, FL—April 11, 2013—The National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, where history is kept and dreams begin, is reaching its fundraising goal for a new annex to the Lake Worth facility.
George DuPont, Jr., executive director of the museum and its Board of Directors, including vice president Melissa Ganzi of Grand Champions Polo Club, have worked tirelessly to generate funds and raise awareness about the museum.
The museum building, opened in 1997 in Lake Worth, houses polo records and memorabilia and honors those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to polo.
It has become the site for several functions including the annual Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremonies and most recently the Women’s Championship Tournament’s kick-off party.
The museum is a not-for-profit educational organization which continues to promote the sport for future generations.
“Like any and all museums, we are preserving yesterday for tomorrow,” DuPont said.
The museum was built in three phases. The main building was constructed first. The U.S. Polo Association offices were later added.
The third phase, which the fundraising effort will support, includes expansion for more exhibition space (2,000 square feet).
“It will be a big area to do a little more,” DuPont said. “There will be more room for lectures and meetings and a bigger media room. We plan to move the library back. The expansion will be on the north side.”
Donations are still being solicited in the U.S. and around the world.
“We are nearing our fundraising goal, we are three quarters of the way there,” DuPont said. “We see the light at the end of the tunnel and going ahead with the architect and permit work.
“The Palm Beach community has a good interest in history,” DuPont said. “Some of the old families of polo who don’t play anymore, second and third generation polo families and the general public have shown their support and contributed.”
DuPont said he would like to have the new addition up and running by the 2014 polo season. Permits are expected to be applied for in May and groundbreaking is tentatively set for August or September.