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FREMONT, California - June 27, 2007 - Fremont Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of Fremont Bank (www.fremontbank.com)  presented a $1 million grant to the City of Fremont at the city’s June 26 City Council meeting. The grant, the largest private donation ever given to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, will be used to support the redesign and development of the Fremont’s Central Park Swim Lagoon into a family water play facility.

“Extending these funds is our way of giving to the community and carrying on the legacy of Fremont Bank,” says Hattie Hyman Hughes, president of Fremont Bank Foundation. “Our joint vision with the city is to provide a healthy, safe environment for the youth and families of the Fremont community.”

The lagoon is currently closed and in critical need of improvements. In 2001, after a survey of residents, the City of Fremont decided to convert it into a modern water play facility that would become a regional recreation destination. “The contribution from Fremont Bank will make this project a reality,” says Annabell Holland, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Fremont. “We plan to open the redesigned and improved family water park on Memorial Day 2009.” Holland adds that ground is scheduled to be broken on the project in late July or early August of this year.

The park, which will be named “Fremont Bank – Aqua Adventure,” will feature water slides, water play areas, a lazy river, children’s play areas, picnic areas and new infrastructure. Holland notes that the intent of naming the facility after Fremont Bank is to honor the many contributions made to the community by its founder, Morris Hyman and his wife, Alvirda Hyman. Morris Hyman was chairman of Fremont’s Parks and Recreation Commission in 1968. He also was instrumental in getting the commission to sponsor a bond measure to buy the land for what is now Central Park. “As a member of Fremont’s Recreation Commission, my father was a critical decision maker in the creation and development of Central Park,” says Hyman Hughes. Attractions within the park will carry the names of Morris and Alvirda Hyman.

Mayor Bob Wasserman says, "The City is delighted by this grant from Fremont Bank. Together, we not only will build a new water play facility that will enhance the quality of life for Fremont residents, but we will also continue to build a stronger community through the process."

Hyman Hughes adds: “Our family and the bank are about celebration. It is our privilege to help make this quality family recreation area available to the families of Fremont,” says Hyman-Hughes. “I am sure it will bring many hours of fun and laughter to today’s children, their children and the community of the future.”

Other funding sources for the park include State Grants, City of Fremont Recreation Services Operation Improvement Reserves, Park Development Funds and a contribution from the Candle Lighters which allowed the city to leverage an additional $600,000 in state funding.

About Fremont Bank Foundation
Fremont Bank Foundation supports meritorious causes that help create and maintain a healthy, vital community. The Foundation provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of their extraordinary visions. Sharing with the community is at the heart of the Foundation. Fremont Bank Foundation is housed in the Community Outreach Department at Fremont Bank, which in addition to the Foundation operates three additional community service programs including the Fremont Bank Corporate Giving Program, which provides financial support for worthy causes that have relationships with Fremont Bank; FB Team H.E.R.O.E.S., which supplies and coordinates manpower and in-kind community service from Fremont Bank employees; and the Women’s Leadership Forum, which provides a networking and information sharing community for women associates of Fremont Bank.