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Community group reports $845,000 pledged for New Prague outdoor performance facility; public meeting set for Aug. 7
Summary
Den Gardner told the City Council the POPS fundraising campaign has about $845,000 in pledges (roughly $745,000 bankable), $300,000 already invested and a $1 million goal accelerated to year-end; a public update is planned Aug. 7 and the group hopes to start construction next spring.
Den Gardner, presenting a POPS (outdoor performance) facility update to the New Prague City Council, said the campaign has secured roughly $845,000 in total pledges and that about $745,000 of that is "bankable," with more than $300,000 already invested.
"We're currently at about $845,000 in pledges," Gardner said, adding the fundraising committee has accelerated a $1 million goal to the end of this year and expects pro-bono services to reduce the cash needed. He asked council members and staff to attend a public update meeting on Aug. 7 and mentioned a Pops Gala set for Oct. 4 intended to raise an additional $15,000 to $20,000.
The presentation outlined next steps: select a design firm from an RFP (responses due the day of the meeting), pursue a donation agreement with the city, and aim to choose a general contractor by fall so construction could begin in the spring if fundraising and agreements proceed as planned. Gardner said the Forward New Prague Foundation has already gathered about $300,000 in investments toward the effort.
Council members asked how the facility would be managed and who would take on maintenance responsibilities. Gardner said those arrangements have not been finalized and would be discussed as the donation agreement and partnership details are developed; he noted many communities either place similar venues under community education, a chamber, or city staff oversight.
Gardner described likely usage patterns and community benefits, saying the facility could host music, theater, dance and visual-arts events and be used about 30 times a year depending on booking. He also asked for council participation as donors and invited city staff to the August public meeting.
Next steps: the POPS group aims to select a design firm in the coming weeks, continue work on a donation agreement with the city, and update the council after the Aug. 7 public meeting and the consultant presentation scheduled July 15.
