Flexibility sought on fieldhouse name issue

In early 2011 our two grieving families were joined by a handful of friends to develop a plan to build a multi-sport facility at Coeur d'Alene High School. The plans for construction and fundraising for the Viking FieldHouse - in Memory of Devon Austin and Ryan Reinhardt began.

A goal of $150,000 was established after meeting with professionals who were experienced at building this type of facility. All of the advertising and publicity used for the fundraising used this figure and included "In Memory of Devon Austin and Ryan Reinhardt." Our families were overwhelmed with the outpouring of donations from friends across the country to finally be able to do something for our families in memory of our children.During this time Bud Ford came forward, met with us, and asked that he be included in this project. He had read an article in the Cd'A Press and was moved by the story of what was being done by our families in memory of our sons. He was willing to give $100,000 toward the building of the Fieldhouse in exchange for it being named, "The June Ford Viking Fieldhouse." In no way did he wish to take away the facility being in memory of Devon and Ryan.

This gift was presented to the school board and it was decided that a naming policy need to be put in place before acceptance of the $100,000. For 5 months the fundraising continued and over $50,000 (not including in kind donations) was raised by the families and friends for the Fieldhouse.When the naming policy drafted by the school board was in place, a letter was sent (following proper procedure) to the Superintendent requesting that the Fieldhouse be named, "The June Ford Viking Fieldhouse - In Memory of Devon Austin and Ryan Reinhardt." This letter, however, was never presented to the naming committee, or the School Board. The only name considered was "The June Ford Viking Fieldhouse." This name was approved by the naming committee and passed on to the School Board and also approved. At this meeting Hazel Bauman also stated that only $100,000 was needed to build the Fieldhouse (leaving us to feel that our donations and our fundraising were no longer needed, even though we had put in much time and effort to begin the project).

Our families believed that per the naming policy, the name submitted could have been accepted. Perhaps it was selfish to assume our involvement might give us the opportunity to have our childrens names included on the building. The school board now tells us they are working on a memorial policy.Our families realize that many of you donated and contributed to this project in memory of Ryan and Devon. We have been told that the memorial policy should allow us to have a memorial wall or a plaque inside the Fieldhouse to honor Devon and Ryan and any former Viking who has passed away.

We had hoped that the Fieldhouse name would include "In Memory of Devon Austin and Ryan Reinhardt." We realize that many donors also assumed the same. It was never our intention to misrepresent to anyone the amount of money needed, or how the boys would be honored. Our hope is that none of you feel that way.The important thing now is too move forward with the project. We need to be reminded of how this project started and what our intentions were at that time. We took this project on, which gave us something positive to do while grieving. We wanted to give back to the community that had given so much for our sons. By creating this Fieldhouse we hoped that we could enable all children to establish the wonderful aspects of participating on a team and the development of friendships that would last beyond high school years.

We had also hoped that the Fieldhouse could be used to teach and motivate each child that enters, and that we could help remind them, through our loss, that the choices they make throughout their lives impact not only them, but their families and members of the community. Our hope was that Devon and Ryan would be remembered and respected for "how they lived" and not the consequences that they died. If we could reach out to any child in this way, our hard work and effort will have paid off. We then would know that what is on the outside of the Fieldhouse is not as important as what is done on the inside.Our hope still is that the School Board will allow us to establish a wonderful memorial inside the Fieldhouse where we can honor Devon, Ryan, and any other Viking that was taken from us too soon. Never have we or would we feel that our children were more important than anyone elses. Whether it be 2 years or 20 years, the loss of a child is not something that you ever get over.

Again, we cannot thank you enough for your support and the love shown to us through your donations and support at our fundraising events. It was and is a tremendous comfort to us to work with so many wonderful and caring people that have been willing to donate to such a worthwhile project. We have made many friends throughout this process and knowing that your efforts were in memory of Devon and Ryan help us daily in realizing the great impact our children had on so many. We encourage anyone with additional questions or concerns to contact one of us or Lori Kaye Gaboury.