Mantorville officials cut ribbon on new bandshell

Klaus Alberts IV and Mantorville Mayor Chuck Bradford officially cut the ribbon last week opening the new bandshell that has been constructed at Riverside Park in Mantorville.
The bandshell will be named for Klaus W. Alberts Jr., who was very active as a Dodge County Commissioner, a member of the Dodge County Fair Board, and many other organizations, and the grandfather of Klaus H. Alberts IV who cut the ribbon. Tom Monson, a member of the Mantorville Chamber of Commerce and project chair, said work on the project began in earnest months ago with a conversation with Klaus Alberts who said that his company, Home Improvement Professionals, would donate materials and labor.
Conversations continued with the City Council, Park Board, Chamber of Commerce and other groups. Everyone contacted, Monson said, supported the project. In January, he said, the Council officially passed a motion approving $500 to begin the effort. With the city officially on board, he said, work began with WHKS, the city engineering firm, to plan the project and make sure everything was done correctly. Additional donations were received, and a grant was also secured.
The bandshell will be donated to the city of Mantorville.
Monson said the cost of constructing the bandshell will be between $110,000 and $115,000. The project is being funded by private sponsors who pledged in-kind support, other donations, a grant received through the Compeer Financial Rural Feasibility Study grant program, $1,000 from the Mantorville EDA and the initial $500 from the city’s General Fund.
Donations for the project are being handled by the Mantorville Restoration Association.
Monson said the idea for the bandshell is that it will provide a place for outdoor music and performance in a family-friendly space. One specific idea, he said, is to have music in the parks on Tuesdays coinciding with the Mantorville Farmers Market.
The location, he said, was chosen because the park is already a green space that is easily accessible, already has some amenities and is within walking distance of Main St. It has been located to avoid moving any existing facilities in the park, he said.
The bandshell will be available for reservation through the city of Mantorville.