FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHARKS FOUNDATION TO PARTNER WITH EL CAPITAN HOTEL AND
CITY OF MERCED TO DEDICATE TEALTOP STREET HOCKEY COURT
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 AT 3:30 P.M. AT APPLEGATE PARK
CITY OF MERCED MAYOR MATT SERRATO, SHARKS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT PRESIDENT JONATHAN BECHER,
EL CAPITAN MANAGING DIRECTOR ROBIN DONOVAN AND LOCAL CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE
MERCED, Calif. (March 21, 2022) – The Sharks Foundation (@SJSCommunity), the charitable arm of the San Jose Sharks organization, has partnered with the El Capitan, a JdV by Hyatt Hotel, (@elcapitanhotelmerced) and City of Merced (@cityofmerced) to build a Tealtop Street Hockey Court at Applegate Park in Merced.
The street hockey court is latest in a series of Tealtop Courts that the Sharks Foundation has built over the years in neighborhoods and communities throughout Northern California. In addition to the court, the community will receive street hockey gear and equipment allowing local youth to regularly practice and play street hockey.
The Tealtop Street Hockey Court is also being made possible through a generous $25,000 donation to the Sharks Foundation by Sara Johnson Kerrest and Frederic Kerrest. To donate to the Sharks Foundation, visit the Sharks Foundation’s Paypal Giving Fund page HERE.
The Tealtop Street Hockey Court will be officially dedicated at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on Wednesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m. City of Merced Mayor Matt Serrato, San Jose Sharks President Jonathan Becher, Merced City Manager Stephanie Dietz, El Capitan Managing Director Robin Donovan, and children representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of Merced County are scheduled to attend and participate. The ceremony will be emceed by Sharks Audio Network personality Ted Ramey. Also scheduled to attend are former Sharks players Scott Hannan and Devin Setoguchi and Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie.
After the ceremony, the children will participate in an inaugural street hockey scrimmage on the new court.
WHAT: The Sharks Foundation, El Capitan, and City of Merced will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate and open a new, Tealtop Street Hockey Court at Applegate Park in Merced.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Applegate Park, 1045 W. 25th Street, Merced, CA 95340
WHO: Matt Serrato, Mayor, City of Merced
Jonathan Becher, President, Sharks Sports & Entertainment
Stephanie Dietz, City Manager, City of Merced
Robin Donovan, Managing Director, El Capitan
Children representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of Merced County
Ted Ramey, Sharks Audio Network Personality
Scott Hannan, Former San Jose Sharks Player
Devin Setoguchi, Former San Jose Sharks Player
S.J. Sharkie, San Jose Sharks Mascot
Merced Youth Council
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ABOUT EL CAPITAN, A JDV BY HYATT HOTEL:
Located in the heart of downtown Merced, El Capitan, a JdV by Hyatt hotel, invites free spirited guests to rediscover the vibrant traditions of California’s Central Valley. The 114-guestroom hotel is a Golden State original, reborn with approachable sophistication and modern comfort in a turn-of-the-century property of the same name. El Capitan offers three distinct dining experiences that all call upon the bounty of the Central Valley, a region famous for producing more than a quarter of the nation’s food, including the recently opened, fine-dining tasting menu concept, Rainbird. Located on the same block, the recently renovated and reopened Mainzer theater is an exciting new restaurant and entertainment venue set in a restored 1920’s theatre. Known as the “Gateway to Yosemite,” Merced is a perfect basecamp for exploring the region’s wide-open spaces and outdoor recreational activities. Follow the hotel on Instagram and Facebook, or visit the website for more information.
ABOUT CITY OF MERCED:
Merced is a dynamic community of more than 90,000 people, with a friendly small-town living in a mid-size city. Located in the heart of California's agricultural Central Valley, Merced is the region's hub for education, culture, and business. The community offers pleasant neighborhoods and tree-lined streets. Bicycle paths along creeks link major City parks. Merced's housing remains affordable compared to many other California locations. In addition, Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the area's entertainment center. Annual events and festivals bring regional and even national recognition. Amenities include the Applegate Zoo, Art Kamangar Center at the Merced Theatre, The Mainzer Theatre and Restaurant, the Historic El Capitan Hotel and Tioga Apartments, The Merced Multicultural Arts Center, Merced College, University of California, Merced, a wide array of restaurants, various sports facilities, Lake Yosemite, plentiful public transportations, and more.
ABOUT THE SHARKS FOUNDATION:
Established in 1994, the Sharks Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth and families in the community with an emphasis in the areas of education, health and safety, and character development. Since inception, the Sharks Foundation has positively impacted the lives of individuals in the community through its contributions to local non-profit organizations. The Sharks Foundation and the San Jose Sharks are committed to being to a good community partner and continuing to make a positive impact through 2040 and beyond. To learn more about how the Sharks Foundation is helping underserved youth and families in need in the community, visit the Sharks Foundation's website, view the 2020-21 Community Annual Report or connect via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Flachman, City of Merced, 209-564-0235 (C) flachmanj@cityofmerced.org
Jennifer Padilla, El Capitan Hotel, 310-968-3523 (C), jpadilla@wagstaffmktg.com
Jim Sparaco, Sharks Foundation, 408-504-3921 (C), jsparaco@sjsharks.com