GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Green Bay Packers are helping to put the great comeback of the Beach at Bay Beach over the goal line.
Packers CEO and President Mark Murphy announced Tuesday that Packers Giveback will match a community fundraising effort of $250,000 to complete the fundraising portion.
“When you see the plans to bring the beach back to what it was, it will have a huge impact on the community.
Murphy says the Impact Grants started five years ago and their goal is, just as the name says, make an impact.
It is being called Green Bay’s biggest comeback- 90 years in making.
The Packers are offering a $250,000 matching grant to complete the project.
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt says they need the community to donate $250,000 to reach their fundraising goal.
“I think that the community always wanted to restore the beach since the 30’s.”
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt is confident that they will raise the funds.
“The community has an appetite to restore this and they are willing to put their money into it so we are delighted with this matching grant and we will achieve it.”
The $7 million project includes installing a 1,000-foot sand swimming beach, a 450-foot long pier, a new shoreline walkway, a concession stand, and bathhouse, along with additional parking.
“It’s a beach that is going to be used by all walks of life and is going to be around for generations,” Schmitt says.
While swimming will be a big part of the beach, Schmitt says he knows people will go there to read a book or play volleyball.
Construction is set to start in 2019.
Schmitt says this project and fundraising is going to move fast and swimming could start within 18 months.
The donation opportunities are starting to be offered.
Donation levels range from $25 dollars to $50,000 dollars, and each level comes with a gift for the donor.
$25- Bay Beach Sand Bucket
$100- Sunglasses, Beach Ball and Sand Bucket
$500- All Previous Gifts and a Beach Towel
$1,000- Entire Beach Kit along with a chair and tote
$5,000- Donor Recognition and 4 Invites to a Private Bay Beach Party
$10,000- Donor Recognition and 8 Invites to a Private Bay Beach Party
$50,000- Donor Recognition and 16 Invites to a Private Bay Beach Party
The top two donation levels also include a name on a plaque that will be displayed at Bay Beach.
