In celebration of Earth Day, and as part of an ongoing commitment to ensure that Detroit youth have access to sports, the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and DTE Energy announced a $50,000 donation to enhance energy efficiencies at two community sports facilities in the city: Detroit’s Belle Isle Athletic Complex and East Side Ice Hockey Arena.

The Tigers, Red Wings and DTE made donations to the Belle Isle Athletic Complex, managed by HYPE Athletics Community, to install brand-new, energy efficient LED lighting and additional enhancements on the baseball and softball fields, and East Side Hockey Ice Arena to support upgrades to the nearly 50-year-old transformer. The donation to East Side Hockey Ice Arena builds upon a previous contribution from the Red Wings to support this vital project. Upgrades at both facilities will take place this summer.

“The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings are honored to inspire future generations of baseball, softball and hockey players in our great city,” Kevin Brown, director of community impact for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, said. “We’d like to thank our friends at DTE for supporting that commitment. This summer’s enhancements at Belle Isle Athletic Complex and East Side Hockey Ice Arena represent another important step in the process of ensuring widespread sport accessibility for young Detroiters.”   

The donations follow similar energy-saving enhancements DTE has made. DTE’s Community Lighting team has installed nearly 900 outdoor lights in neighborhoods and businesses throughout the City of Detroit over the past two years. All lights installed were energy efficient LEDs which typically save customers roughly 30% on the cost of lighting.

“Detroit has such a rich sports history, and DTE is excited to add to that heritage today by partnering with the Tigers and Red Wings to update field and arena facilities in which children can play baseball, softball and hockey under bright lights – just like their professional heroes,” John Boladian, director of Energy Efficiency at DTE, said. “These children are our future college athletes, coaches and leaders. While they are young, we can all pitch-in in our own ways to provide them a with positive environment that will help them physically develop and have fun.”

Everyone can contribute on Earth Day. When considering ways to conserve resources, fans also can manage and save on their own energy usage. DTE offers energy-saving tips, tools and rebates to help fans lower their energy bill and reduce their carbon footprint. You can start by replacing your most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs. LEDs last longer and use less energy. To learn more ways to save go to DTEenergy.com/SaveEnergy.

The Tigers and Red Wings, in partnership with DTE Energy, will celebrate Earth Day at Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, April 22. The Tigers will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:10 p.m., while the Red Wings will host the Dallas Stars with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. The Tigers and DTE Energy will also host “Going Green Night” on Saturday, May 29 against the New York Yankees, including a reusable tote bag giveaway for fans in attendance at Comerica Park.

Both teams have other recent initiatives that further their commitment to increase youth sports involvement and accessibility within the city of Detroit. The Red Wings’ Learn, Play, Score program consists of several innovative and engaging hockey-related platforms, while the Tigers’ involvement with Fun At Bat, in partnership with USA Baseball, offers a free online curriculum for kids that emphasizes character development, functional movement, active play and fun.