Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary recently donated $500,000 to Lake Ridge New Tech schools.

The funds will be used to renovate the district's middle school gymnasium and for other high-need projects. The school will replace the wooden bleachers, resurface the floor, and replace the audio system, wall padding and scoreboard. The walls will be repainted to match the district’s colors.

At Longfellow Elementary School, they will be able to fund teacher and student desks, library furniture and other projects.

“When we had an opportunity to tour the district’s three schools, we were convinced a major donation would clearly benefit the students, the staff and the community,” said Matt Schuffert, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana president, in a press release.

Lake Ridge Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley expressed her gratitude for the donation. 

“For President Schuffert to recognize the value of Lake Ridge New Tech Schools and what the funding would mean to so many people is amazing,” she said. “We are grateful that Lake Ridge New Tech Schools have truly found a working corporate partner who cares deeply about the community.”

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana opened in 2021. The casino has over 2,100 gaming positions. It also offers food venues, a retail shop and a performance venue.

Lake Ridge New Tech School District is in Gary. The district has an elementary school, middle school and high school. It serves about 1,500 students.