Community Group Begins Fundraising to Replace Art Hall in Legion Park

The Legion Park Event Center Committee (LPECC) is excited to announce its preliminary plans to build a new event space in Legion Park.  The event space would replace the existing Art Hall, which has fallen into disrepair.  While the design is far from final, the proposed event space would be approximately 6,000 square feet, double the size of the existing facility.  The proposed structured would include restrooms, a food service area, covered outdoor seating, storage, and heating – enabling the building to be used for events year-round.  

The existing Art Hall was constructed in the 1940s. The unheated building is used during the summer months for family reunions, graduation parties, corporate gatherings, church retreats, and larger community festivities such as the Kiwanis Chicken Dinner, Southwest Health Berry Fest, and Platteville Dairy Days.  In addition to reserved bookings, the outdoor pavilion is available on a first come, first served basis.  According to Platteville’s Recreation Manager Luke Peters, the Art Hall has been reserved for more than 75% of weekend days over the past three summers. “There is a lot of demand for event space, I’m sure an improved structure would be even more popular,” he stated. 

The fundraising effort follows a community meeting held in September by Inspiring Community Inc. to explore interest in repairing or replacing the existing structure. LPECC is comprised of Sheri Engelke (Chair), Vince Graney (Fundraising Chair), Michael LeGrand, Bob Digman, Jo Roling, Josh Butson, plus City staff representatives Luke Peters and Karen Kurt.  Also assisting with fundraising are Ron Weier, Nathan Curry, and Bob Hundhausen.   

The proposed structure is anticipated to cost around $500,000 to $600,000. The City of Platteville included a $50,000 challenge in the 2018 budget to generate interest in repairing or replacing the Art Hall.  Private donors have already committed an additional $110,000 towards a new building.  

LPECC is seeking monetary or in-kind donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses to help make this new event space a reality. “The original Art Hall has served its purpose well and needs replaced. I have so many fond memories of the place as I spent many nights and weekends at the horse arena….my dad even helped build the outdoor serving window which was used for the lunch stand that was ran by my mom at horse shows,” said LPECC Chair Sheri Engelke. “Now I’m excited to create a wonderful new space that will be affordable and functional for current and future Platteville residents. It’s a great opportunity to pay it forward.” 

For more information or to make a donation, contact Sheri Engelke at (608) 642-5485 or Vince Graney at (608) 732-0327.