This new sports equipment library is housed in a shipping container. Here's how it works

A new library opened its doors in Republic on Tuesday though this one looks different than most. It's housed in a shipping container and instead of loaning out books and movies, it is a place for local coaches and families to receive helmets, footballs, baseball bats and other sports equipment free of charge.

Behind the new resource is Republic High School senior Hayden Hradek, who came up with the vision and grant proposals to fund the $10,000 library. The idea was born out of his participation in the University of Missouri Extension's Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA), a 10-week community development and leadership program. In the fall, the 16-year-old received a scholarship to attend the academy and became the youngest to participate in the program, which usually caters to adults.

"Besides the fact that his age brought down the average class age by like 20 years, his enthusiasm was contagious to everyone," said David Burton, NLA instructor and community development specialist for MU Extension.

At an official opening ceremony Tuesday, Hradek said the project was personal to him. With the expense that participation in athletics can bring, Hradek — growing up with a single mom — had to choose between playing football or baseball. While he ultimately chose football, he wanted to create the sports equipment library to help other young athletes in his community avoid having to choose.

"It was that situation that kind of guided what I wanted to do here in this community," Hradek said. "When costs are rising, something has to give. Let's make sports not one of those things."

How does the sports equipment library work?

Garrett Cline, Republic Parks and Recreation Superintendent of Athletics, said an online form will be available for local coaches, families and community members to request necessary equipment. Then, when they are contacted, those in need of equipment will be able to visit the library and pick up gear Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. via the athletics team Cline said equipment will likely be loaned out for a maximum of six months to include pre-season and post-season.

While the library's inventory currently includes $3,000-worth of brand-new equipment donated by the local Amazon STL3 Fulfillment Center, the hope is that that inventory can grow and be a place for the community to help out one another via donations. Hradek emphasized the importance of the community rallying around the resource.

Cline said community members can drop off donations any time during open hours at the Republic Community Center, which is open seven days a week. Only reusable sports equipment, not clothing, can be donated. Before being loaned out, the equipment will undergo a quality check to ensure it is usable.

How did the library come to be?

The goal of the NLA is for students to develop a community project and draft a grant proposal by the end of the session. But to actually pursue the project took far longer than the span of the academy. Rigorous planning, vying for funding and coordinating logistics to realize the library took eight-and-a-half months, Hradek said.

Burton recounted Hradek's happenstance meeting with Amazon representatives. On a snowed-out school day, Burton offered Hradek a free ticket to a Republic Chamber of Commerce meeting, where he knew Amazon would be presenting. As the two arrived, they sat at a table with Amazon representatives — Hradek with his elevator pitch and grant proposal at the ready.

Despite Hradek's young age, Andrew Lee, general manager at the STL3 facility, said he was impressed with the proposal and felt the vision was the perfect opportunity for the large company to be a part of the local community.

Hradek then went on to receive the grant funding directly associated with the NLA to make his proposal a reality. For him, the final project is a testament to trusting youth, placing value in the younger members of the community and recognizing that sports can be a place for youth to learn values and skills that pay dividends to the larger community.

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Future of the library, Hradek's dreams

With the development of a large community park and a regional athletic complex along the James River Freeway in the works, Hradek said it was important for the library to be able to move once the complex opens, hence why it is housed in a shipping container.

Cline said this will be an amenity for years to come as long as community members contribute with their support and donations.

"Hayden forecasted this vision but talked about the feasibility of how we as Parks and Recreation can be stewards of this to continue the program," he said.

For Hradek, the equipment library is not the end of trying to make Republic a better place for local youth. The rising senior is already considering what to pursue as his senior project. He said he hopes to bring an all-abilities playground to the rapidly growing city, which currently does not have one.

The pursuit of the playground will not be easy, requiring more funding and investment from the community and grants. But the project is yet another way for Hradek to use his personal experiences to bring change to the larger world and create a welcoming community for children like his younger sister, who has a muscular degenerative condition.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Need sports equipment? Republic High senior opens sports gear library