More than 400 individuals expressed their continued commitment to the Green Lake area’s revitalization on Saturday, July 14, donating more than $95,000 toward the development of Mill Pond Terrace, as they gathered at the home of Joe and Tina Pregont for Green Lake Renewal’s annual White Hot Party.

Mill Pond Terrace, the new multi-functional event space to be located between Town Square and the Green Lake Mill Pond, has been under construction since early May. In less than three months, local contractors have stripped old asphalt, decommissioned the well, removed the pump house, relocated and buried overhead utility lines, removed utility poles, excavated for new handicapped parking area, and removed old landscaping, wall and steps between upper and lower parking lot and former jail entrance.

This week, excavation begins to pour footings for upper-level centerpiece overlook and adjoining curvilinear staircase. By next week, contractors will be setting forms and pouring concrete for the overlook. Following that key step, landscaping terraces, stonework and planting beds between the two levels will be added. Upon completion of the terraces, final grading for the decorative, stained concrete surfaces will be underway.

The Mill Pond Terrace project is designed to provide downtown Green Lake with an event-ready venue, with flexible paved and landscaped spaces, mobile furnishings and a circular overlook, all overlooking the Mill Pond’s waterfalls and Playground Park. As a bonus, the new space affords event caterers and entrepreneurs direct, convenient access to Town Square’s certified commercial kitchen, located just inside Town Square.

“Like Deacon Mills Wharf and the Town Square Community Center, Mill Pond Terrace will be an enormously impactful addition to Green Lake, offering beautiful and functional user-friendly spaces to bring vibrancy and vitality,” said Fran Hill, president of Green Lake Renewal. “We are incredibly grateful to the Pregonts, and all of the donors, volunteers, caterers and sponsors that made this wildly successful fundraiser possible. Special thanks to White Hot Committee Head Joan Lloyd for her tireless work and guidance, year after year, as ambassador to our community.”

A team of more than 50 volunteers handled party details from parking to photography to set up. Four local caterers teamed to provide food for the event: Goose Blind Grill and Bar, Horseradish Kitchen + Market, Peppercorn Catering and ThunderBoss Bar and Grill. Due to generous support of party sponsors, all proceeds from the White Hot Party will go directly to completing the Mill Pond Terrace project. Those who were unable to attend the party and wish to support the project may donate online at www.greenlakerenewal.org, by mailing a check to Green Lake Renewal, PO Box 608, Green Lake, WI 54941 or by stopping at the Town Square Community Center at 492 Mill Street in Green Lake.

Green Lake Renewal is the 501(c)3, non-profit, community revitalization organization that operates Town Square, Green Lake Kitchens and Green Lake Fitness 24/7.  For information, phone 920-807-0156.