Brief event to formally ‘cut the ribbon’ the AED on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11 a.m.
311 or 509.755.2489
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 9:05 a.m.
Spokane, Wash. – The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex will receive its first life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED), courtesy of Project 100, on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11 a.m.
The complex will be bustling with tournaments and recreational play that day, a great time to pause and recognize the importance of an AED placement. A brief ceremony at 11 a.m. will include leadership from Project 100 and the Parks department. The Spokane Fire Department is planning to be on site, pending call volume.
According to Project 100, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time—regardless of age or health. Seconds matter in a cardiac emergency; every minute without help drops survival by 10%. But with prompt CPR and AED use, the survival rate can double or even triple.
The new AED at Dwight Merkel will be available 24/7, located near the restroom building. It is housed in a SaveStation cabinet, which includes heating and ventilation for year-round use, as well as an alarm, built-in camera, and 24/7 monitoring. The Zoll 3 AED is simple to use for the public, with step-by-step verbal instructions to guide users through an emergency.
“I love that Project 100 is spreading across our state to make communities more prepared for SCA, especially at outdoor facilities where kids play sports and people recreate,” said Jonathan Drezner, director of the Center for Sports Cardiology at the University of Washington. “Increased AED access will ultimately save lives.”
“We are grateful to Project 100 for their donation of the SaveStation wall mount and AED, and providing life-saving equipment for people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest,” said Garrett Jones, director of City of Spokane Parks & Recreation. “Our sports complexes are seeing tremendous use by athletes and spectators, and having an AED on site could be that key element that saves someone’s life.”
Other Spokane Parks AEDs locations include all six aquatic centers, all four golf courses, Riverfront Park, and Manito Park. Spokane Parks and Project 100 have a goal of placing AEDs at all City sports complexes (Franklin Park, Southeast Sports Complex, and a second on the north side of Merkel near the softball fields).
About Project 100
Project 100 is a collective effort of the UW Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology, Nick of Time Foundation, DP Foundation, Medic One Foundation, King County Public Health, and Resuscitation Academy, and volunteer medical professionals dedicated to equipping 100% of sports fields in Washington with AEDs.
About City of Spokane Parks & Recreation
City of Spokane Parks and Recreation stewards nearly 120 properties across 4,000 acres of park land, including manicured parks, natural lands, aquatic centers, golf courses, sports complexes, and an arboretum. We also offer hundreds of recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities to improve the health and quality of life for our community. Enjoy all your city has to offer by visiting spokaneparks.org. Follow us @SpokaneParks on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
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The City of Choice
509.625.6200
parks@spokanecity.org
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201
