Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Recreation and Parks Director to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission to advance the “Women Win Here” initiative. The Columbus Sports Commission, the City of Columbus, and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department have been working together through two closely connected efforts-IgniteHER Columbus and the Women Win Here / Girls Sports programming expansion-to strengthen girls’ sports participation and long-term pathways in the city. Its core goals include keeping girls in sports longer, expanding access to athletic opportunities, and building leadership pathways through sport.
At the same time, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) has been a key delivery partner through its youth programming infrastructure-especially community leagues, recreation centers, and outreach-based sports programs. In practice, this includes community-based programming, youth engagement campaigns, and partnerships with schools and local organizations.
CRPD initiated its SPARK program in 2025 which uses sports and recreation as a platform to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication skills, and healthy lifestyles while fostering positive relationships with peers and community role models. The program aligns with the department's mission to connect community members through wellness, creativity, and equitable access to opportunities.
The initiative focuses on four main pillars:
• Increasing youth participation for girls in sports
• Expanding women’s sports events and visibility in Columbus
• Developing leadership and career pathways from athletics
• Supporting innovation and investment in women’s sports ecosystems
Integration with Columbus Recreation and Parks Department
CRPD helps translate the initiative into on-the-ground programming by:
• Hosting and expanding girls’ recreational leagues and clinics
• Using community centers and parks for accessible sports programming
• Partnering with local mentors and coaches to support youth development
• Connecting sports participation with broader youth development goals like teamwork, leadership, and confidence building
Together we aim to:
• Reduce dropout rates among girls in sports during middle and high school
• Improve access in underserved neighborhoods through parks-based programming
• Build “pipeline” programs that connect youth sports to school, collegiate, and professional opportunities
• Increase exposure to women’s sports events and role models in Columbus
This partnership is essentially a citywide pipeline strategy
• The Sports Commission (IgniteHER / Women Win Here) sets vision, partnerships, and events
• The Recreation and Parks Department delivers hands-on programming in neighborhoods
• Together, we aim to grow both participation and long-term opportunity for girls in sports across Columbus
Principal Parties:
Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission
277 W Nationwide Blvd Ste 125
Columbus, OH 43215
Linda Logan - llogan@columbussports.org
Contract Compliance Number: 006014
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested so that necessary research, as well as program development and delivery, can commence as quickly as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the General Fund to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a not-for profit service contract with Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission in support of the “Women Win Here” initiative; to authorize the transfer and appropriation of $250,000.00 from the general fund to the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund; to authorize an interfund transfer of $250,000.00 with Recreation and Parks Operating Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus understands the positive economic and cultural impact that comes from advancing opportunity and equity for women in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a non-profit organization with a mission is to provide singular athlete and fan experiences that positively impact image, economy, and lifestyle; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission intends to advance the “Women Win Here” initiative; and
WHEREAS, Partnerships will be built so that together our community can craft a viable path to achieve more opportunity and more equity through the power of sport; and
WHEREAS, this contract is awarded pursuant to provisions relating to non-profit services of City Code Section 329.30; and
WHEREAS, the services provided cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission in support of the “Women Win Here” initiative; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer and appropriation of $250,000.00 from the General Fund 1000 to the Recreation and Parks operating fund 2285, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an interfund transfer of $250,000.00 in the Recreation and Parks operating fund 2285, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract to have funding available for necessary expenditures due to the time sensitivity of research, program development and delivery, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc DBA Greater Columbus Sports Commission in support of the “Women Win Here” initiative, which will provide extensive custom research, program development, and program delivery to advance opportunity and equity for women in our community.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the interfund transfer of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized within the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate funds, in the amount of $250,000.00, within the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 7. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Section 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 10. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.