Martha Heneghan, a member of Cooperstown’s Kid City Committee and event organizer, said Sunday’s Ride to Build Kid City Spin-a-Thon at the Clark Sports Center raised approximately $2,000, much higher than the goal set prior to the event.

"It is awesome," she said Monday. "We were really just looking for $1,000."

Heneghan said 53 different riders participated during the four-hour event, which saw participants spinning _ riding an exercise bike at a brisk pace while being led by an instructor _ in 30-minute blocks, some of whom rode for the full four hours.

Riders were supposed to donate a minimum of $5 for each block they were spinning, although many chose to donate more, Heneghan said. All of the 23 available bikes were full for the duration of the fundraiser as well.

Asked about the better-than-expected turnout, Heneghan cited community support and appreciation for the current facility and advance publicity given to the fundraiser.

"A lot of people are very positive about the old Kid City and they want to see something good get in its place," she said.

Kid City is set to be demolished and replaced for $425,000 if a proposed $7.2 million capital project is approved by Cooperstown Central School District voters in May. A committee was organized and is trying to raise $90,000 _ the local share of the project not covered by state aid _ so the new playground won’t impact the tax levy.

In addition to the $2,000 raised Sunday, the Cooperstown PTO recently donated $5,000 for the Kid City replacement project.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Kid City replacement fund can send checks to superintendent Mary Jo McPhail in the school’s district office in the middle/high school. Donations are then forwarded to the Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education, the district’s foundation.