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Cellas donate $1 million to new foundation Friday, Sep 8, 2006 Arkansas News Bureau HOT SPRINGS - The family of Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella made good on a promise made during last year's election on expanded gambling at the thoroughbred racetrack Thursday, donating $1 million to a citizen improvement foundation. The donation is the largest single gift ever made to a Hot Springs charity. "The people of Hot Springs have always supported Oaklawn, and we're happy that we can give back to the community in this way that will have such a lasting impact," Cella said at a news conference to announce the gift and present trustees of the newly formed Oaklawn Foundation for the Future of Hot Springs. Under terms of Oaklawn's voluntary agreement with the city, the foundation also will receive $250,000 to $500,000 annually from the proceeds of expanded gambling at the track. The money is to be used to fund programs and scholarships to benefit Garland County students and senior citizens, including construction of a new Center on Aging in association with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. In a special election last year, Hot Springs voters approved a ballot measure authorizing additional electronic games of skill at Oaklawn Park. Voters in West Memphis approved a similar measure for Southland Greyhound Park. Both tracks are expected to add some games by the end of the year. |
