SARASOTA, Fla. — Members of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange who helped build a concession stand for the Miracle League of Manasota recently marked the completion of the new building at a grand opening ceremony.
The Miracle League of Manasota, headquartered at Longwood Park in Sarasota, is a nonprofit that gives children with disabilities in Sarasota and Manatee counties the chance to play baseball during two 10-week seasons in the spring and fall.
Over nine seasons, the Miracle League of Manasota has grown from 54 players and four teams to 184 players and 12 teams. With community support, the organization built a synthetically surfaced baseball field and now a permanent concession stand with accessible restrooms for their players.
A ceremony on March 11 brought together several contractors and subcontractors who helped with the project. About two dozen people gathered at the event for photos, refreshments and words of thanks from Miracle League of Manasota President Dan Tellor. Several Gulf Coast Builders Exchange members donated and reduced the cost of materials and labor for the project.
“Anything we ever asked for, they said, ‘Yeah, we can take care of it,’” Tellor said. “Without the donations from the contractors, this wouldn’t have happened.”
The construction was completed and managed by Gulf Coast Builders Exchange member Crowley Services, Inc.
“Miracle League of Manasota provides a great service for the community,” said Jason Wilson, vice president of Crowley Services. “They’re providing something that’s needed, and we’re glad to help.”
Several other companies contributed to the project, including Bright Future Electric, LLC with $15,000 of electrical services, Climatic Conditioning Co. with over $10,000 of ventilation services, PGT Industries with over $3,000 for windows, Sutter Roofing with over $8,000 for roofing, Mark Williams Construction with $6,500 in concrete and masonry and Mullet’s Aluminum Products with $1,500 for gutters and downspouts.
Miracle League of Manasota will soon install a Wall of Fame plaque to acknowledge the many individuals and companies who made the new building possible.
About The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange was established in 1952 and is a not-for-profit corporation operating as a trade organization. Under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors, the organization’s philosophy of “members working with members” has been successful in helping individual members grow. This success has become the foundation for the continued development of the organization.
The GCBX membership is comprised of over 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. It includes some of the most respected contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers and businesses in construction-affiliated industries. For more information, visit www.GCBX.org.
About the Miracle League of Manasota
The Miracle League of Manasota is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for all children and adults to play baseball, regardless of their ability. For the 14,000 school-aged children with disabilities in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the Miracle League of Manasota built a synthetically surfaced baseball field and all the requisite amenities at a site that would serve players from both counties. For more information, visit www.MiracleLeagueManasota.org.