Continuing with its mission to provide quality experiences for residents of Wayne and the surrounding region, State Nebraska Bank & Trust in Wayne is making a $120,000 donation to Wayne State College to support the Athletic and Recreation Complex (ARC) renovation and addition project.
The announcement was made Sept. 20 during the weekly Chamber Coffee at the State Nebraska Bank Campus branch.
The ARC project has seen some significant progress since construction began in the summer of 2023. The $30-million project has an expected construction timeline of 19-20 months, with planned completion by January 2025. Installation of the new indoor air-supported structure (dome) exterior fabric is scheduled to begin in September with the inside track surface, artificial turf field, and netting system being completed in October.
“We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Wayne State College by supporting their exceptional athletic program and recreational opportunities with this gift,” said Matthew Ley, CEO of State Nebraska Bank & Trust. “Top-notch facilities like the ARC will enhance the experience students receive on top of their education. A quality college like Wayne State makes our community better.”
The ARC project will provide the campus community with versatile indoor activity space, which includes a 300-meter track, 85-plus yards of artificial turf, golf practice area, and batting cages; men’s and women’s cross country, and track and field locker rooms; new, larger general student weight room with new equipment; increased cardiovascular equipment workout space; two-lane walking/jogging track in the Rec Center; increased number of volleyball, basketball, etc., courts in the Rec Center from 3 to 4 (includes brand new flooring system); and enhanced student study and lounge space in the newly constructed alley space between the Rec Center and Rice Auditorium.
“The generosity demonstrated by State Nebraska Bank & Trust and the Ley family over the years has been remarkably transformational for Wayne State College,” said Dr. Marysz Rames, president of Wayne State. “State Nebraska Bank & Trust recognizes the importance of a vibrant college community with outstanding facilities designed to enhance the college experience for students for decades to come. We are grateful to State Nebraska Bank & Trust and the Ley family for their vision and all they have done to support Wayne State, our students, and Northeast Nebraska.”
In 2021, State Nebraska Bank & Trust honored Kaki Ley with a gift to name the Peterson Fine Arts Building’s atrium space “State Nebraska Bank & Trust Atrium: Inspired by Kaki Ley” in recognition of Ley’s passion for and outstanding career in music education.
State Nebraska Bank & Trust also sponsors the Teaching Excellence Award at Wayne State, which honors an outstanding faculty member each year.
David Ley, the bank’s chairman of the board, established the award in 1998 as a way of recognizing and strengthening outstanding teaching at Wayne State College. State Nebraska Bank & Trust has served the Wayne community for more than 130 years and supports the college in many ways, including numerous scholarships, capital investments, employment of students, and service on the Wayne State Foundation Board of Trustees.
“Our partnership with Wayne State College goes back to its founding, when my great-grandfather helped establish the college,” said David Ley. “Since then, five generations of Leys have continued investing in the college, which is an investment in Wayne.”
