By Jade Ruggieri
At Mylan Park’s Aquatic Center & Track Complex, partnerships with Howard Hanna and MVB Bank provide new additions visitors may notice when driving up the hill to the center, or as they walk to the pool and locker rooms.
For over 20 years, Mylan Park has been growing into a full-service sports, recreation, wellness and events complex under the Mylan Park Foundation, offering 14 indoor and outdoor facilities over 60 acres.
As part of its mission, Mylan Park Properties continues to partner with area businesses and leaders to help beautify park facilities while providing safe, clean and affordable family friendly experiences.
“With Mylan Park’s mission, it’s just sole appreciation to have the support from local businesses; both Howard Hanna and MVB [Bank] have been long-time supporters of the park,” Mylan Park Foundation Board President Ron Justice said. “We’re not relying on government funding, so it’s community partners like we have in Howard Hanna and MVB that create opportunities for the general public to use such great facilities.”
Throughout the years, both Howard Hanna and MVB Bank supported Mylan Park, from Howard Hanna sponsoring children to go to camp at Mylan Park’s annual event, to MVB Bank adding tarps to the ball fields to help protect the surface from rain.
Barbara Alexander McKinney, broker and owner at Howard Hanna Premier Properties, is a Morgantown native with a successful career in real estate and believes in being involved in the community. With strong family ties, McKinney leads by example supporting YCF, West Virginia Botanic Gardens, Pantry Plus More, WVU Children’s, WVU Cancer Institute, On Eagle’s Wings and Holy Pursuit/Dream Foundation.
“I came from a family of giving; parents and grandparents always helped and gave. It’s how they were raised,” McKinney said. “There’s so much in our community that needs our support. These organizations either touch my heart, or I connect with them. And I believe in giving back. If you cannot give money, always consider giving your time or your talent.”
In addition to McKinney’s support and a new sign, Mylan Park unveiled a new interactive art installation as people pass through the main entrance of the Aquatic Center. Commissioned by MVB Bank and designed by local artist Beth Keener-Flanery, the “Find Your Wings” selfie mural was recently installed through a partnership with Primo Signs of Morgantown.
“MVB Bank is pleased to be a sponsor for this mural project. We appreciate the positive impact of visual art in public spaces and value what the Aquatic Center offers to residents of Morgantown and beyond. At MVB, we are committed to the success of our clients and communities,” said Don Robinson, president and chief financial officer, MVB Financial Corp.
Visitors to the Aquatic Center are encouraged to snap their photographs with the water wings to share with family and friends on social media pages and as keepsakes in photo albums and memory books.
“I’m thankful to both MVB and Mylan Park,” Keener-Flanery said. “I’m extremely grateful to MVB Bank that they support the arts community, not only with this initiative but they also really do have community outreach where they are thinking about how they can plant seeds out in the community to get them excited.”
Keener-Flanery has worked with MVB Bank on previous art initiatives through her participation in the Arts Council of Greater Morgantown. When Mylan Park Properties was talking with MVB Bank about the idea of adding an art mural to enhance Mylan, MVB Bank suggested Keener-Flanery.
Keener-Flanery said the mural’s purpose is to encourage children to be strong, brave and confident, not only in swimming classes at the Aquatic Center but also in “spreading their wings” to try new things and see what is out there.
“I’m really happy with this and it’s great the kids like it,” Keener-Flanery said. “It’s exciting, it’s fun, and, now that people are getting out and about again since COVID, it’s nice to be able to focus on fun, positive things for socialization and ties into the general community and the arts community,”
For more information about these partnerships or if you wish to learn more about becoming a Mylan Park partner, call Heather McIntyre or visit www.mylanpark.org/aqua.
