Politics & Government
Council OKs Dimmick Park Stage Fundraiser
On Jan. 17, Hellertown Borough Council gave the Hellertown Enhancement Project's Dimmick Park Stage Committee permission to sell decorative pavers as a fundraiser. The group is raising money for the construction of a stage in the park.
The planning for what would become Hellertown's began 75 years ago, in 1937, and in 2012 the park's supporters are hoping to help the beloved landmark enter a new era.
On Jan. 18, Hellertown Enhancement Project (HEP) chairwoman Susan Ackermann explained to Borough Council that she and other volunteer members of the Dimmick Park Stage Committee are continuing with their efforts to raise money for the construction of a park stage, and called their plan "a fitting tribute" in light of the upcoming anniversary.
The original plans for the park called for a stage to be built where a concrete bomb shelter stands today, and although its development has been discussed for many years, finding funding has been an obstacle.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Ackermann said the current project estimate is $200,000, but added that she hopes "budget trimming" will help to reduce that figure.
For example, she said HEP hopes to find volunteers to help with some parts of the project, such as landscaping and painting.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Over the past year, the stage committee has filed a number of grant applications and raised more than $23,000 toward the project, although Ackermann conceded that not all of that money is "in hand."
She cited the need to continue fundraising efforts in asking council to grant permission for the stage committee to begin selling decorative bricks that will eventually be used to fill in walkways, steps or columns adjacent to the stage.
The bricks that would be used come with a lifetime guarantee, she added.
Council vice president John Bate voiced support for the idea, although he told Ackermann she should realize that selling bricks is "not a fast fundraiser."
"The bricks do give you some kind of ownership (of the project)," he noted.
Local youth sports teams have similarly sold bricks or pavers as a fundraiser, and did so with the borough's blessing, he added.
Council subsequently unanimously approved Ackermann's request, along with a request to allow the stage committee to pursue the possibility of granting naming rights for the stage in exchange for a large donation to fund its construction.
Ackermann said that while there's no particular donor being courted at the moment, she "might be following through with some people" in the future.
After listening to advice from solicitor Michael Corriere, council approved the stage committee's exploration of naming rights with the stipulation that it have the final say on any name being considered.
At the meeting, Ackermann also told council members that HEP's annual series may have to be scaled back this year, due to financial constraints.
The three free concerts--which are held in Dimmick Park in June, July and August--cost "an awful lot of money," Ackermann said.
She said the number of concerts and/or the acts booked may have to change in 2012 due to a funding shortage, and added that she would keep council apprised of the situation.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.