By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
A plan to renovate the Palmer Park Upper Quad Complex in Madison is under way.
A group of Madison volunteers have formed a committee called "Project PROUD" with the intent to seek the city's support in rebuilding the aging concession stand at the park.
Paul Finley, chairman of Project PROUD, said the committee is officially in place and now is the time to spread the word that support in the project is needed. Project PROUD is an umbrella organization under the Madison Baseball Association. Plans include tearing down the existing concession stand and replace it with a new structure. Finley said the group is planning to raise $250,000 during the next four months. Construction of the new concession stand is expected to begin on Aug. 1 and take 90 days to complete.
"What we need now is the support of Madison to get this project done," Finley said. "The initial responses we have received have all been positive and we think that once the word gets out that this project is under way, the community will overwhelm us with the needed support."
Finley said the project would utilize a "Kids Kingdom" approach – using financial donations and volunteerism to support the construction efforts. The same efforts were used to build Kids Kingdom at Dublin Memorial Park.
"Our goal is to present multiple ways in which the Madison community can support this project," Finley said. "They include donations by builders, materials donations, services donations, individual brick sales, corporate donations, donations from the city, and other fundraising efforts."
Three levels of corporate donations have been established. They include a bronze, silver, and gold distinction.
A jamboree to officially kick off the project will be held at Palmer Park on April 5.
"Greg Sanford, who is our corporate sponsor chairman, and I started this project because we believe here is a lot of interest in Madison and we believe we will raise the needed funds to get this project done," Finley said. "Our team will work with the city to make sure the proper steps in the project are being handled accordingly."
A Web site, explaining more about the project, has been established at www.projectproud.com