For more than a decade, middle school students in Lowell have met to test their skills at the game of chess. They are members of the Lowell Middle School Chess Club which has been a fixture in the district since 2006.
“It’s a game about strategy, and I love strategy,” explains 8th-grader Blake when asked why he likes chess. “I like exercising my brain.”
Now, everyone in the community can exercise their brains thanks to a special gift from the Lowell Middle School Chess Club. The group presented a granite chess table and benches to Mayor Mike DeVore last week. Permanently installed at the Englehardt branch of Kent District Library in Lowell, the gift will make the game of chess accessible to everyone.
Coordinating a Community Effort
The idea for a community chess table has been a topic of discussion among club members for quite some time. When the city started making plans to renovate the Riverwalk area, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to turn those thoughts into something tangible. “We said we want to do that, and we have a plan,” explains club coordinator Karen Waid. The idea was embraced by community leaders and incorporated into the Riverwalk development plan.
The group already held regular fundraisers to support a scholarship program for its members. They built upon those efforts to raise the additional money needed to donate the table. There were fundraisers at Rollaway, candy sales and car washes.
Plus, community organizations and local residents pitched it to make the table a reality. The Downtown Development Authority matched some of the funds raised, the Lowell Area Community Fund paid for the cement work and the Lowell Women’s Club pitched in money, not once but twice. At the center of all this support is an enthusiastic group of kids who want the community to have a chance to play their favorite game.
Chess Table Presented to Mayor
Last week, both past and present members of the Lowell Middle School Chess Club converged at the library for a special presentation. Hunter Krzysik was on hand to do the honors. He is a current Lowell High School senior and was the club’s first president after it started electing officers. Krzysik presented the table to Lowell Mayor Mike DeVore as a gift from the club to the community.
In addition to the table, the Chess Club has donated game pieces. Those will be kept in the library for anyone to check out and use. When the library isn’t open, residents will need to bring their own pieces to play a game.
“I think this is fantastic,” DeVore said, admiring the table. He added jokingly, “I’m glad that the chess club is here so I can beat them all.” And with that, the mayor and the middle schoolers sat down to play.
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