Chesapeake Energy 2006 Annual Report Download - page 23

Chesapeake Energy Corporation 2006 Annual Report 19
program, Chesapeake has helped Horace Mann’s students
achieve significant improvements in test scores.
Neighborhood property values have risen approximately
20% as the school becomes an ever more attractive place
for children to attend.
Quality of Life Commitment
In addition to educational advancement, Chesapeake is
committed to improving the quality of life and encouraging
economic development in the communities where we
operate. An exciting example is the story of Chesapeake’s
contribution to the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation
and how it is transforming the riverfront area in the city’s
downtown into a vibrant destination for rowers and tourists
across the state and country. The Chesapeake Boathouse,
an acclaimed modern architectural icon, has already
hosted a major rowing event with over 30,000 spectators
and 1,000 athletes, including the U.S. National, Harvard
University and U.S. Naval Academy rowing teams. In
October 2007, the Chesapeake Boathouse will host its first
international event, the USA Rowing World Challenge.
This event will feature teams from around the world as
they prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Oklahoma City is rapidly becoming a “must visit” venue
for world-class rowers in the U.S.
In Fort Worth, Chesapeake’s million-dollar pledge to the
Museum of Science and History will provide funds to build
an exhibit commemorating the important role energy has
played in the state of Texas for more than 100 years.
Students will learn firsthand the career opportunities
afforded them in this challenging, high-tech industry that
is a major and growing contributor to Fort Worth’s booming
economy through the wealth the Barnett Shale’s rapid
development is creating.
Since a large portion of Chesapeake’s business model is rooted in rural areas where the majority of our drilling rigs operate, the
company places great emphasis on improving life outside of major metropolitan areas. Hundreds of Chesapeake employees are
actively involved in local governments, schools, volunteer fire departments and a myriad of other benevolent activities. Chesapeake
supports dozens of initiatives to improve safety and well-being, regardless of the size of the community.
As an example of this commitment, Chesapeake supported the “Live at Lincoln” concert series launched last fall in Hamlin, West
Virginia (population 1,114). Commitment to the arts is an important part of any community’s development, and this new program
makes great strides to enriching the quality of life for people in and around Hamlin. Chesapeake’s donation is expected to increase
tourism and serve as a catalyst for economic development while exposing young and old to great classical musical performances.