KCCRV Commission Tables Wagon Wheel Grant
May 10, 2023 at 9:21 p.m.
By Jackie [email protected]
Lakesha Green, executive director of the Wagon Wheel, went before the commission to ask for $232,835 for phase two of its White Hill project.
The Wagon Wheel owns the White Hill Manor adjacent to the theater. White Hill Manor was built nearly 90 years ago at the request of Justin Zimmer, founder of Zimmer Inc., and is considered a landmark tourism spot. It had previously been used as a bed and breakfast but was “gifted” to Wagon Wheel in 2017. It is used to house actors for its plays.
In November, the Wagon Wheel received $81,000 for roof repairs to the building. Wednesday, Green said she should never have to come in front of the commission for roof repairs in the 70 years it’s estimated the roof will last.
Wednesday, Green said contractor Milestone has helped create a sustainability plan for the building.
“We want to make sure this building is maintained in every step we do,” Green said.
During phase two of repairs to White Hill, Wagon Wheel Finance Director Holly Lantz said a lot more plumbing has to be done. During phase one of the project, some patching to the plumbing was done, but there was a lot more plumbing issues than they expected. Lantz said new windows will also be put in.
Green said there will be a phase three of the project, but she doesn’t plan on coming in front of the commission for that part of the project.
Commission Vice President Mark Skibowski said he’d like to see a breakdown on all the costs. He said the commission wants to help, but the Wagon Wheel is asking for a lot of money and the commission can’t put all their money for the year for grants toward one organization as they have to help everyone. He asked Green to come back to the July meeting.
Green said she will have a breakdown to the commission.
Earlier in the meeting, Kevin Harris, from the Kosciusko County Fair Association with permission of the Kosciusko County Fair Board, approached the commission for $2,500 for the ninth annual Rockin’ BBQ.
He said there was a small change in his proposal he’d like to make. He said Rockin’ BBQ is next weekend and they probably don’t have enough time to give out the additional money for that competition. Instead, Harris said they also have a barbecue competition on Aug. 25 and 26, so he’d like to use that money for that.
He said the money was to enhance the prize money for the competition in hopes it would bring more competitors to the contest. The Rockin’ BBQ is a two-day competition that brings in people from all over the country. It is a fundraiser for the fairgrounds.
There are about 34 teams coming in next week and 50 teams are expected for the August competition.
Harris said the competition is not open to the public. The first three years they held it, the competition was open to the public and things like craft shows and bounce houses were put on to draw people in. The association decided not to continue that any more since it wasn’t very successful. Harris said there are people that do walk through during the competition to see what is going on, though.
Commission President Kathy Ray asked what kind of marketing is done.
Harris said marketing includes listing the competition on certain websites and Harris going to various out-of-town competitions and hands out flyers.
Ray said a lot of what the commission does is with marketing. Skibowski said the commission’s answer would be no if it’s based on prize money.
The commission approved $500 for marketing and that money can be used toward either the May or August competition.
The third grant request the commission heard was for $2,780.11 from the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Charitable Foundation for the Tour Des Lakes 2023.
Matthew Bochard said the grant is for marketing as the foundation is looking to expand its marketing to the Fort Wayne area to help bring people from Allen County and surrounding areas to the event. They focused on advertising in The Journal-Gazette.
He said the Tour Des Lakes event is a good showcase of the whole county.
Last year, the event had 438 riders and they “come from all over,” he said.
The commission approved the grant amount.
In other business, the commission:
• Approved the proposed budget for 2024. The total budget is $885,000. The county visitors bureau fund is $510,000, and the administration fund is $15,000. The grant fund is $360,000.
• Swore in Matt Metzger as a member.
Lakesha Green, executive director of the Wagon Wheel, went before the commission to ask for $232,835 for phase two of its White Hill project.
The Wagon Wheel owns the White Hill Manor adjacent to the theater. White Hill Manor was built nearly 90 years ago at the request of Justin Zimmer, founder of Zimmer Inc., and is considered a landmark tourism spot. It had previously been used as a bed and breakfast but was “gifted” to Wagon Wheel in 2017. It is used to house actors for its plays.
In November, the Wagon Wheel received $81,000 for roof repairs to the building. Wednesday, Green said she should never have to come in front of the commission for roof repairs in the 70 years it’s estimated the roof will last.
Wednesday, Green said contractor Milestone has helped create a sustainability plan for the building.
“We want to make sure this building is maintained in every step we do,” Green said.
During phase two of repairs to White Hill, Wagon Wheel Finance Director Holly Lantz said a lot more plumbing has to be done. During phase one of the project, some patching to the plumbing was done, but there was a lot more plumbing issues than they expected. Lantz said new windows will also be put in.
Green said there will be a phase three of the project, but she doesn’t plan on coming in front of the commission for that part of the project.
Commission Vice President Mark Skibowski said he’d like to see a breakdown on all the costs. He said the commission wants to help, but the Wagon Wheel is asking for a lot of money and the commission can’t put all their money for the year for grants toward one organization as they have to help everyone. He asked Green to come back to the July meeting.
Green said she will have a breakdown to the commission.
Earlier in the meeting, Kevin Harris, from the Kosciusko County Fair Association with permission of the Kosciusko County Fair Board, approached the commission for $2,500 for the ninth annual Rockin’ BBQ.
He said there was a small change in his proposal he’d like to make. He said Rockin’ BBQ is next weekend and they probably don’t have enough time to give out the additional money for that competition. Instead, Harris said they also have a barbecue competition on Aug. 25 and 26, so he’d like to use that money for that.
He said the money was to enhance the prize money for the competition in hopes it would bring more competitors to the contest. The Rockin’ BBQ is a two-day competition that brings in people from all over the country. It is a fundraiser for the fairgrounds.
There are about 34 teams coming in next week and 50 teams are expected for the August competition.
Harris said the competition is not open to the public. The first three years they held it, the competition was open to the public and things like craft shows and bounce houses were put on to draw people in. The association decided not to continue that any more since it wasn’t very successful. Harris said there are people that do walk through during the competition to see what is going on, though.
Commission President Kathy Ray asked what kind of marketing is done.
Harris said marketing includes listing the competition on certain websites and Harris going to various out-of-town competitions and hands out flyers.
Ray said a lot of what the commission does is with marketing. Skibowski said the commission’s answer would be no if it’s based on prize money.
The commission approved $500 for marketing and that money can be used toward either the May or August competition.
The third grant request the commission heard was for $2,780.11 from the Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary Charitable Foundation for the Tour Des Lakes 2023.
Matthew Bochard said the grant is for marketing as the foundation is looking to expand its marketing to the Fort Wayne area to help bring people from Allen County and surrounding areas to the event. They focused on advertising in The Journal-Gazette.
He said the Tour Des Lakes event is a good showcase of the whole county.
Last year, the event had 438 riders and they “come from all over,” he said.
The commission approved the grant amount.
In other business, the commission:
• Approved the proposed budget for 2024. The total budget is $885,000. The county visitors bureau fund is $510,000, and the administration fund is $15,000. The grant fund is $360,000.
• Swore in Matt Metzger as a member.
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