Beautiful October weather rolled in Friday evening as Portage residents and city officials gathered to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new amphitheater at Founders Square Park. The park, which rests in the heart of Portage just off of Central Avenue, was full of smiling families and local food vendors, while the Portage High School Music Program and Brass From the Past provided live entertainment for the crowd.
Keys to the city were presented during the ceremony to Jim Fitzer, former Portage Economic Developer, and A.J. Monroe, Portage City Planner, for their contributions to Founders Square Park and the overall growth and development of the city.
Portage Mayor James Snyder was happy to share the stage and microphone with former Mayors Doug Olson and Sammie Maletta. The teamwork and years of effort on everyone's behalf was emphasized as each mayor honorably mentioned the contributions each had made to the city of Portage. Mayor Snyder stressed how significant the work of both past and present governance was to making Founders Square Park possible.
“What an amazing community we’ve all been able to serve,” Mayor Snyder stated. “Today is a celebration and a culmination of years of hard work. Downtown Portage is about who we are. While we may not be a white collar community of privilege and philanthropy, it is the working class, callused hands and sweat stained work uniforms that say, ‘We are going to leave Portage much better than we found it!’”
Patrick Clem, Portage Second District City Councilman, was also happy to be a part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. He was there celebrating with other local town officials as well as with his family.
“We’re looking forward to seeing all the public coming out to enjoy the amphitheatre,” Clem stated. “We have so many great things going on in the city right now. It’s been so enjoyable to watch the city of Portage grow and to be a part of it. My children and grandchildren are here tonight enjoying the park, as will many children for generations yet to come. High school students, elementary students, and children of all ages will find enjoyment here. I can’t wait to continue to bring my grandchildren here to play.”
Amanda Lakie, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor of Portage, was enthusiastically mingling with the crowd while helping keep the ceremonies in order. She was excited to celebrate with other local residents the opening of what she feels is the perfect park to add to downtown Portage.
“We were excited to invite the community out for the first huge community event here since we built the amphitheatre,” Lakie explained. “It’s great to see so many community members and sponsors here to celebrate this evening. People call the mayor's office all the time and ask where the Portage downtown is located. It’s so exciting to me to finally be able to say we have a downtown and be able to direct them here! I look forward to bringing my kids here to play at the splash pad and listen to live music. It’s a really beautiful place to take your family!”
Portage residents and their families will be utilizing all of the wonderful amenities at Founders Square for years to come. The years of hard work finally paid off and excitement filled the air as everyone attending looked forward to all the future memories that be made in the new beautiful park setting in downtown Portage.