Milan raising money via crowdfunding for Wilson Park pavilion project
Published: Sunday, March 08, 2015
The Milan News-Leader
A scale model of the purposed Wilson Park pavilion is pictured.
MILAN — The city of Milan, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, has launched a 60-day campaign to raise $10,000 for the pavilion.
“The most exciting part of this partnership is, if we can raise $10,000 in sixty days, the MEDC will match with another $10,000,” according to Mayor Michael Armitage.
You can find a link on the city’s homepage,http://www.milanmich.org, to make a donation for the project or to find out more information about the pavilion project.
“No donation is too small,” according to Parks and Recreation Director Ellen Bell.
“We were looking at starting this campaign through ‘Kickstarter,’ another fundraising site, when we found out about this opportunity to partner with the MEDC,” according to the Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Dave Baldwin.
Baldwin’s wife Trisha worked to develop the elements of the campaign, along with Councilman Brett Moyer, Rod Hill from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Executive Assistant Eva Bedford and Mayor Armitage.
During the process, Armitage learned about the opportunity to partner with the MEDC while attending the annual convention of the Michigan Municipal League in Marquette.
“As I listened to the presentation, I realized that this program would fit right in with our pavilion project, and it was a great opportunity to get us to our final fundraising goal,” Armitage said.
The concept of the pavilion has been in development for several years and has been a long-time goal of the Milan Parks and Recreation Commission. The pavilion will be approx. 4,700 square feet and will provide space for many activities in the park.“We have envisioned a space that could host concerts, reunions, family picnics, weddings, civic events, warming center for skaters and more,” according to Rod Hill.
The project has already raised $65,000 and, if this campaign is successful, could be built this summer.
“This is really exciting for our community and parks,” said City Administrator Jade Smith. “As we continue to revitalize and redevelop the Downtown the pavilion will be an integral component for events and community pride as we welcome visitors and residents alike to Milan.”
To make a donation online, please visit the City of Milan webpage at www.milanmich.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CityofMilanMI.
