Sculptures to return with village assistance
3/22/2006Ottawa Hills Village Council has agreed to spend up to $3,000 to support this year s sculpture exhibit on village parkland at its western edge.
This will be the third year of the exhibit on the triangular piece of land at Secor Road between Indian Road and Bancroft Street.
Until now the Ottawa Hills Foundation and individual donors have covered the cost of moving, installing, and closing the exhibit of colorful and whimsical shapes to greet those entering the village.
Laura Baird, a co-chairman of the project, said the exhibit is not only a point of interest for villagers and people visiting or driving through, but has become popular for instructional purposes by teachers at Ottawa Hills schools. She asked the council for financial support so the burden of financing this program will be equitably spread.
Rex Decker, a member of the village council, said, We re not going to get into a position that this is a taxpayers project, but the event now approaching its third year has gained traction in the community.
He said Peggy Grant, who first suggested the idea should be given great credit for her vision and credit should also go to the late mayor Jean Youngen.
The sculpture committee intends to display eight works this year.