The year 2020 was not what we expected. HUB Sports Center was fully open for 75 days, partially open for 165 days and closed for 125 days this year. We are looking forward to 2021 and are hopeful to welcome people back to the facility as soon as possible.
So instead of dwelling on the negative things that happened in 2020, we are going to focus on the positives and things we are grateful and thankful for in 2020. Below is our retrospective of these types of events.
With support from generous donors and securing some community grants, we are in a good financial position to begin 2021 ready to serve our youth and community. Thank you to these donors and Spokane Valley Chamber, GSI, Spokane County, City of Spokane Valley and Innovia Foundation for helping us secure multiple grant opportunities.
We had an opportunity to provide some different types of events and activities this year.
Crab Feed – Right as the pandemic shut down began, we hosted our first Crab Feed dinner fundraiser. It ended up being a “drive-thru” pickup of crab, but we were able to serve 120 people that evening. We look forward to doing this again when we can sit down and enjoy one another’s company.
Online Scavenger Hunts – We provided a variety of missions/challenges for families to complete at home. They would post pictures or videos of their accomplishments and score points. We had great feedback from families having a respite from the boredom and monotony of the COVID life. Spring Hunt link. Winter Hunt Link.
PE @ Home – Our staff created physical education activities for youth to do at home. They didn’t need a lot of resources to complete the activities, but it gave them something to do in the spring when school was not in session and we were under the stay at home guidelines. Link to Activities.
HUB Trick Shot Challenge – HUB created a trick shot challenge for anyone to complete and post their best trick shot. Here’s a link to the video and you can search for #hubtrickshot on social media.
Dads & Dudes Night – We were able to move this Father/Son event to an online format and still provide some fun activities and prizes through staged events and activities that they could do together at home.
Police Activity League – While we couldn’t host the law enforcement officers and youth this summer at the HUB due to COVID, we were able to team up with Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake Police Departments and deliver summer care packages to the students who has enrolled. Click here for a video.
Drive-In Movies – This fall we were able to provide a variety of drive-in movies at the HUB Sports Center. Fun Flicks was able to project the movie onto the backside of our building and transmit sound through the radio. Windemere Valley/Liberty Lake was the main sponsor for our Sept/Oct series. We averaged 100 cars per movie. We look forward to providing these again sometime in 2021. Drive In Movie Link.
Learning Support Site – The HUB partnered with Central Valley School District to utilize our facility as a Learning Support Site for CVSD students who needed access to Wi-Fi and/or were families of first responders and front-line workers. Students were divided into two classrooms and completed their school day with assistance from paraeducators from CVSD.
All-Star Breakfast – Our annual All-Star Breakfast fundraiser was moved to a virtual format. However, that allowed for former Gonzaga and current NBA player Nigel Williams-Goss to join us as a guest speaker (video here). We provided a recap of the year and our plans for continuing to serve our youth and community (HUB recap video).
STEM Classes – Through a partnership with N2X for STEM content that meets the Next Generation Science Standards, we provided hands-on, project-based, STEM learning opportunities. With support from STCU, we supplied curriculum and support to Girl Scouts EW/NI and NE Youth Center. These will be continuing into 2021. STEM Classes 2021 link.
Afterschool Enrichment Classes – With schools being most virtual, we are hosting afterschool enrichment classes which include some PE and physical activity as well as some crafts and games. This program will continue into 2021. Afterschool Enrichment link.
HUB Business to School Reading Program – We recruiting local businesses and connected them with our school teachers so the students could have a virtual visitor to their “classroom” and hear a story read to them. Wonderful feedback from both businesses and teachers about the success of this program. We will continue it in 2021. Click here to learn more about the program and to sign up as a reader.
Corn Hole League – We started our first corn hole league and got one match in before the second shut down. We can’t wait to do this again and maybe host a tournament in 2021. Be on the lookout for the Liberty Lake Throwdown in late August 2021. Cornhole Link
Spikeball League – We attempted a Spikeball League to start in December that was de-railed by the latest shut down. We are looking to reschedule sometime in 2021. Spikeball Link
So while we yearn to have a return to normal and be hosting events with YMCA, AAU, Evergreen Region Volleyball, Special Olympics and Pacific Northwest Qualifier, we have found some fun things to do and share with our community. We are trying to be patient in waiting to bring back Pickleball, Summer Camps and HUB 360 afterschool program. We are continuing with our Homeschool PE and Special Needs PE programs.
We wish you all a happy, healthy and active new year! See you in 2021!