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Parks commissioner Sandy outlines $800,000 fundraising plan for West Lakes pickleball project
Summary
A parks commissioner and volunteer described a public‑private plan for a nine‑court West Lakes Pickleball complex, seeking about $800,000 from donations, sponsorships and grants; the project team said the city would review naming proposals and the Orono Parks Legacy 501(c)(3) will handle fundraising.
Sandy, a parks commissioner and volunteer with Orono Parks Legacy, presented the West Lakes Pickleball Project and an $800,000 fundraising plan to the Orono Parks Commission. She described the effort as a public‑private partnership that includes the City of Orono, Orono Parks Legacy (a 501(c)(3) fundraising vehicle), the West Lakes Pickleball Club and Orono Community Ed.
"This is the face of pickleball today," Sandy said, arguing the sport draws participants of many ages and helps build social connections. She told the commission the conceptual master plan places the nine‑court complex near the Orono Donation Garden on a parcel the presentation estimated has a market value of about $375,000. The city, she said, has signaled a good‑faith intent to support site work such as stormwater, landscaping and trails while fundraising pays for courts and amenities.
Sandy outlined sponsorship tiers and crowdfunding mechanics: founding member recognition for contributions of $5,000 or more, individual court naming at a $25,000 pledge, a $35,000 sponsorship level for nets, corporate banners (three‑year placements) at $3,000, and a paver campaign with multiple size options. She said pledges are being collected via the Orono Parks Legacy website and that the group will not process payments until it reaches 70 percent of its goal.
Commissioners asked how naming and signage would be approved. Sandy said the Orono Parks Legacy board manages fundraising and messaging but that major decisions such as naming a public park would be taken to the Orono City Council for formal approval. "Part of the back end of all of this fundraising is where the city has to accept the coordination formally," a staff member said during the discussion.
Sandy also described grant seeking as part of the strategy. She said the group had applied for a grant that could have provided roughly $150,000–$200,000 but was not selected and that the team will continue pursuing grants and partner support.
Caroline Melberg, who has helped lead the legacy group's web and outreach work, was not at this meeting; Sandy said Melberg will present the project to the Orono City Council next week. The presenters emphasized that the plan remains at the conceptual stage: detailed design work would proceed only after sufficient funding is secured.
Next steps: Sandy and the Orono Parks Legacy will continue donor outreach, pursue grant opportunities and brief the city council on the proposal.
