It will cost over $12,000 to create a mural in Moorefield and Mapleton council has agreed to pay some of the cost up front to help pay the artist.
Public works director Larry Lynch gave council a report on the project and made the request for a $5,400 down payment to artist Allan Hillgendorf, who will create the mural on panels and place it on the K.A. Hammond building in the village.
The mural will be 12 feet high and 32 feet long.
Council had already agreed to pay half the cost of the project, which will depict the history of Moorefield.
Two days after council supported the project, the township’s parks, culture and recreation committee also endorsed it, Lynch told council.
Lynch stated in the report he met with the mural team and it has already planned a door-to-door donations campaign and has already identified 45 local industries and commercial businesses that will be asked to contribute.
Lynch himself has arranged an exhibition fastball game between three-time world champion New Zealand Black Sox and the Argentina national fastball team.
He said a working group is being established to support that event with food, a licensed beverage area and draws. He added the group expects to have a profit of $3,000 from the game alone, and noted a similar one in Drayton a few years ago raised nearly $5,000.
“I have no doubt the local service clubs and community supporters will raise the matching $6,000 to make this mural a cultural windfall for Moorefield and Mapleton Township,” Lynch said in the report.
He added, “I have been working with many of the local groups in Moorefield to enhance their community in recent years and I see the excitement generated already regarding this opportunity to celebrate their history in mural form.”
Mayor Bruce Whale asked if the project can be completed by July 1.
Lynch said he hoped it would be completed by the end of the summer.
Council was unanimous in approving an advanced payment of $5,400.
