On the evening of May 23, 2011 at the Wall Lake city council meeting the city clerk, Chris Rodman reminded the council that for several months they have been working on a project that, if completed, will see the building of a new shelter house at the city pool.
Right now the shelter house committee is relying on a series of grants for funding. If they are unable to get these grants the council was informed that the committee will be approaching the city for money.
According to Rodman ideally they would have a fund drive from June 1, 2011 to June 14, 2011 and attempt to raise $15,000. If successful the committee would use that support to show that the citizens of Wall Lake are behind the project while applying for a Gil Renze grant, challenging them to match those funds.
According to Rodman he spoke with a member of the decision-making body of the Gil Renze foundation who said that last year another organization that challenged them to meet a particular amount was successful in obtaining a grant in that manner, but that it is not a method that is frequently used.
According to Rodman there is already in the neighborhood of $26,000 in the bank for the shelter house. If they can get the $15,000 in community support and $15,000 from the Gil Renze foundation that will leave the committee about $30,000 short of the target amount needed for completing the pool shelter. The bottom line is that they would like the city to back them in an amount up to $40,000. According to preliminary bids and estimates that they’ve received based on the partial plans the committee is considering the final project may cost in the $90,000 range.
Unfortunately if the city just cut a check for $40,000 that would, in all likelihood, kill their chances of getting a Gil Renze foundation grant. During the brainstorming session that ensued it was suggested that the city could indicate that they’ll match in the Gil Renze grant money up to $15,000. That way the money that the city commits to this project is not automatic and won’t send a message to the Gil Renze foundation that they are merely going to fund it themselves if they the Gil Renze foundation does not give them the grant.
The council was reminded that Westside Bank is willing to loan them the money to get this pool house built. According to Rodman the bank is willing to loan them the money at 2%.
In the end the council voted unanimously to provide $10,000 for the pool shelter house project.
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