Platteville Dairy Days Committee Addresses Benefits of New Event Center at Legion Park

When Gene Weber, Inspiring Community board member asked Josh Butson, Dairy Days committee president and Legion Park Event Center committee member, why the Dairy Days Committee might want a new event center versus the tent they currently rent for $3000 a year, clearly, Gene did not anticipate the impassioned response that follows.

Josh shared non-stop, “Why?  We will reduce by 20 to 30 hours the amount of set-up that is currently required to complete the wiring, fencing and stage construction.  Simply being able to lock the doors will also enable us to eliminate the five days of 24/7 security we currently hire.  Paying a part-time police officer costs about $50 per hour.  And, we have many volunteers who together contribute well over 100 hours to the event.  Additionally, with a new event center, weather will no longer be an issue.  Rain will not be able to blow through causing damage to equipment and inconvenience for the service organizations selling food.”

Josh continued, “Our patrons and elderly will have better access to new readily available and accessible restrooms – a significant improvement over today’s marginal facilities.  Acoustics will be greatly improved as there will be less sound transfer getting into the building from the tractor pull and the carnival rides.  The food vendors (Kiwanis, Noon Optimists and Jaycees) will have better preparation areas.  The 4-H Club members currently must heat up water in a tub for dish washing; they will have access to hot water and sinks.  Finally, a major safety concern to me has always been the potential of attendees, and particularly children, getting injured on our tent stakes or cement blocks holding the tent in place; this danger will be eliminated.”

Josh concluded by saying, “Gene, our community will make this happen no matter what.  It is long past due – we will make it happen $5 at a time or $250,000 at a time; but we will make this happen!”

The Legion Park Event Center Committee invites any and all wishing to learn more to contact either Vince Graney (732-0327) or Sheri Engelke (642-5485). Those interested in making a contribution may send checks to Inspiring Community, Inc. PO Box 503, Platteville, Wi 53818 and note “Event Center” on memo line. Inspiring Community is a 501c3 charitable organization.  Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.