Class '20 builds dock
Despite the pandemic, a group of Butler County leaders found a way to finish their project, an accessible kayak dock in Moraine State Park.
Leadership Butler County, Class of 2020, lent their own time and sweat Saturday to build the dock. The specialized dock has multiple features that cater to helping people with mobility or other limitations get into the water with less difficulty.
“I'm very proud that my class actually pulled this off,” said Michele Konyha, chairwoman of the 2020 class.
The group's achievement will be celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Aug. 7 during the Moraine State Park Regatta, which is scheduled Aug. 6 to 8. The dock is on the South Shore in the Pleasant Valley boat loop.
According to Jordan Grady, Butler County Chamber of Commerce executive director, the project's price tag is around $50,000 and was one of the larger undertakings of any of the Leadership Butler County classes. The Class of 2020 is the 24th of its kind, since it was developed by the chamber.
“They've been a stellar group. They've worked together this whole time. They should be very proud of their efforts,” Grady said. “This is a project they will be remembered for, for a very long time, if not forever.”
According to Grady, the idea had been submitted by one of the leaders, Carrie Ferguson, who had been out on a kayaking trip when she first saw a similarly designed dock. Grady said Ferguson believed the dock could be a valuable addition to the county's own “gem,” Moraine State Park, home of Lake Arthur.The project didn't come cheap, and the COVID-19 pandemic certainly presented some serious obstacles, according to leader Mikayla Moretti, who organized the Murder Mystery Dinner fundraiser.This year's dinner was mob-themed, and it raised a little more than $8,000 from the 250 people who attended.The group also hosted a virtual kayak raffle that raised about $20,000 during the COVID-19 shutdown, and they still have a second kayak raffle that is wrapping up Aug. 8. That raffle has already raised about $12,000 and would help finish paying for the project.Moretti said there are still about 1,000 tickets available, and they sell for $10. This kayak package is a value of about $1,500.Moretti said every penny benefits people finding peace on the water.“It's a project that's going to benefit so many people,” she said. “It helps so many people go and enjoy Moraine.”With the dock built and the project finishing up, the Class of 2020 will finally have closure to their program which started about two years ago.According to Grady, the chamber decided to cancel the 2021 class, opting instead to resume activities and focus on the Class of 2020, whose members did not want to call it quits.
“The credit goes to this class and all those who stepped up and supported this project,” he said.As this resilient group of leaders move on, Grady said he is also looking forward to next year's group, the Class of 2022.Every year, employers sponsor employees for the program through applications. The chamber fields between 30 and 40 applications every year. Only 25 will be admitted to the program.According to Grady, there have been 37 applicants for the Class of 2022, and selections will be announced by the end of July. The class will begin activities in September.“Not only does it build a nice solid leadership foundation, it gives you 24 friends for life,” Grady said.Developing leadership skills through activities, functions and meetings, the annual class of county leaders together forge plans for a capstone project that will stand as a testament to their time together.“The projects are always legacy projects that are going to have impacts for years and years to come,” Grady said.
