Community Foundation awards first Major Project Grant

By Patrick Lynn

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin (CFCWI) awarded $50,000 for its first Major Project Grant Cycle to the Lake Pacawa Park Project in Plover.

The Major Project funding from the Foundation will continue to support the Lake Pacawa Park remodeling project, which broke ground this past summer.

Along with accessible kayak launches and fishing piers, the 35-acre park will be home to a new walking path, additional parking, a new shelter, and improvements to the beach and water. Plover Administrator Dan Mahoney said the “jewel” of the project is the 6,000-square-foot all-inclusive splash pad and play area.

An ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch, as well as a paved walking path, will also be included.

The project costs a total of just over $4 million, though half of that is covered by one of the village’s newest TIF projects. In summer 2019, the village board approved a developer’s agreement with RL Development of Plover, owned by Rolly Lokre, for Lake Park Apartments. The remaining $2 million will be paid for by private donations.

The Major Projects Grant Cycle at the Community Foundation was a new initiative developed to fund one project annually that supports the growth and development of a community, and one that will make a major impact in Portage and/or Waushara counties in the range of $25,000-$50,000.

“The Community Foundation is proud to support the Lake Pacawa project through the Major Project Grant Cycle,” said Marlee Samuels, Grants and Scholarships Coordinator for CFCWI. “The inclusiveness this park brings to all ages and abilities will be a great asset to the Plover area and the greater Central Wisconsin community.”

For more information regarding the CFCWI’s grants process, Samuels can be reached at 715.342.4454 or [email protected].

For updates on the park or to donate, go to https://www.celebrateploverfoundation.com/lakepacawa.