With hopes of soon being transformed into a year-round facility, The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex has partnered with the Muskegon Sports Council and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to launch a $50,000 matching campaign with a deadline set for Nov. 13.
The campaign, offered through the Michigan-based Patronicity crowdfunding platform, will support the construction of a dual mega zip line at the sports complex within Muskegon Start Park, with continued phases of developing including a canopy tour, rock climbing wall, and sports pavilion to follow.
“For over 30 years the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, located in Muskegon State Park, has been providing recreation in the form of luge, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating,” says Muskegon Winter Sports Complex’s Executive Director Jim Rudicil, adding that the partnership with Patronicity and the MEDC provides the non-profit with a unique opportunity to extend its mission to year-round.
The matching fund is part of the larger Public Spaces Community Places initiative, a collaborative effort between the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity which allows local residents to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities via crowdfunding campaigns backed with MEDC matching funds.
“Michigan residents and tourists look for recreational opportunities in all four seasons,” says Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Adding a zip line to Muskegon’s Winter Sports Complex will make it an inviting destination all year long.”
Likewise, Rudicil says the new zip line will serve as an anchor for expanded facilities and programming in non-winter months as well as add an extra teaching component to the sports complex’s offerings.
“The construction of these zip lines will also incorporate an educational component, teaching users about the unique ecosystem created by the protected dunes along Lake Michigan,” he says. “In the same spirit that built the winter complex three decades ago, we are beyond excited to partner with the MEDC and join again with the greater community to bring this exciting place making opportunity to Muskegon County residents and visitors alike.”
For more information, visit the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex’s Patronicity page online at
https://www.patronicity.com/project/zip_lines_at_muskegon_winter_sports_complex#!/.
Written by Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of Muskegon Winter Sports Complex/AE Progressive
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.