News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Russ Zann of Zann Brothers Construction sets the concrete for the sitting wall that will be near the new splash park at Starlite Beach. The splash park is expected to be completed and open on or around June 30.

ALPENA — Earlier this week Alpena Rotary Club announced it needed to raise $5,000 to help pay for an unexpected expense for the splash park at Starlite Beach.

Thanks to the generosity of a local business the goal was met. Donations are still rolling in for the project and any money that goes above and beyond what is needed for the current project will be used for future endeavors at the splash park.

After learning about the extra money that was needed, Alpena Agency made a $5,000 donation to provide the extra funds needed for the project. Rotary splash park committee Co-Chair Joanne Gallagher said it was a very generous gesture and praised co-owners Steve and Pete Wilson and their staff for lending a hand so the project could be completed on time.

Pete Wilson said Alpena Agency takes pride in being able to support the splash park and other projects it has helped make possible over the years. He said there is a buzz around town about the project and once it is completed it will be a great addition to the Starlite.

“We think having that splash park is going to be very good for the community and the people who visit,” Wilson said. “We have been, and remain, very supportive of the project. It is great Rotary took this project on and with the help of the city is making it a reality. We just wanted to do our part, so residents and visitor’s kids and grandchildren can enjoy it.”

Despite a small issue that needed to be addressed, construction is moving forward on schedule and it looks likely it will be finished on or near the June 30 goal. Thursday there were contractors doing the concrete work for the sitting walls that surround the splash park and the cement pad was installed earlier this week.

Gallagher said Rotary is still accepting donations for the current project and future ones. She said there have been preliminary discussions among Rotarians about including the splash park in future club-sponsored projects.

“The way the park is designed we can add water features or expand it quite easily,” Gallagher said. “Any money we raise that goes over what we need for this will be put into a fund that will be used for the splash park in some way.”

People or businesses wishing to donate to the project can do so via the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan. A special fund for the splash park has been set up there. Gallahger said to log onto the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan’s website at www.cfnem.org and click on the “funds” tab. The Rotary splash park project is listed under projects that begin with the letter “R.”

Gallagher said donations can also be dropped off at the Community Foundation.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.