Ketchum hopes to meet fundraising goal
There are only days left to meet the $1 million match on donations received by Dec. 31, which would lead to a $1 million reduction in the sales price of the Warm Springs Preserve property.
Match donations now total $807,572, leaving $192,428 needed to meet this critical goal.
The $1 million match was offered by a member of the Warm Springs Preserve campaign committee.
Donations from the community have achieved the first threshold of $4.5 million of the option agreement, extending the timeline to raise the full amount to purchase 65 acres of the Warm Springs Ranch property until April 2022.
Having met this critical goal, the property owner has added a new incentive to spark fundraising success by offering to reduce the sale price of the Warm Springs Preserve by $1 million if $6.5 million is raised in gifts and pledges by December 31, 2021.
With the campaign committee member’s pledge to match up to $1 million in donations received before that deadline, the chances of getting the price reduction are promising. Combined, these two incentives mean that donations made by December 31, 2021 are essentially tripled.
The total fundraising goal would then be $9 million instead of $10 million; $8 million for the property acquisition and $1 million for irrigation and essential site improvements.
“Thanks to our community and the pledge for a matching donation, we are dollars away from reaching the $1 million match,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “There is not much time left, but I feel confident that we will meet this goal through generous year-end giving from those who cherish this property.”
If the city reaches $6.5 million by year end, the remaining $2.5 million will need to be raised by April 28, 2022.
Warm Springs Preserve will be kept as open space in perpetuity for the community if the campaign to purchase the property succeeds.
Priorities for the Preserve include off-leash dog access, creek and habitat restoration, new water-conscious irrigation system, walking trails, informal gatherings and activities, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, and public restrooms. Development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events would be restricted.
Currently, the property is zoned to allow significant development. However, a subdivision application and approval from the city would still be required.
For more information and to find ways to give, visit www.warmspringspreserve.org.
If you have questions about the fundraising campaign or the city’s plans for the property, please email warmspringspreserve@gmail.com.
