The Manitowoc Marine Band is looking to improve its practice space.
During the city’s May Parks and Recreation Department meeting, Band Representative Scott Retzak explained that the band has prepared a memo outlining improvements and is seeking a fundraising agreement.
Funding would come from private sources and could be matched by the city.
Committee President Mike Cummings says he’s in favor of the project.
“If we can have a separate entity help out with that funding to go and maintain it and especially given the age, I’m all for it,” he said. “It’s kind of no different than a grant if you want to think of it that way.”
1st District Alderman Andrew Dunbar asked that the Marine Band provide a timeline and plan since the memo is going forward to the city’s Finance Committee.
Members will ask questions about how they would get funding.
Retzak says the group will reach out to different groups.
“Hopefully it goes pretty quickly,” he explained. “So putting a timeline together is putting together a handful of applications to various organizations.”
The project could be similar to the Manitowoc Skatepark improvements, with their organization raising money and the city contributing funding.
Mayor Justin Nickels says the agreement won’t be reviewed until 2028, since city departments are already preparing their 2027 budgets.
The Parks and Rec committee approved moving the plan to the city’s Finance Committee.
The Manitowoc Marine band is the official band of the City of Manitowoc, although they also perform concerts in the community.
