State Rep. Brian BeGole is pushing for critical funding for the village of Chesaning as it seeks to make needed changes to a community staple.

BeGole’s request to appropriate $125,000 to renovate Showboat Park will be considered as part of the state budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. For the first time, every request for dedicated funding has been submitted publicly, with full details available for everyone to see to ensure transparency and accountability for taxpayers.

“The park is woven into the fabric of the Chesaning community and is in a beautiful spot right on the banks of the Shiawassee River,” BeGole said. “I remember when the area hosted several concerts with some real high-profile performers. The level of excitement and the amount of people who would frequent the park was really off the charts. This funding would help the village of Chesaning make critical renovations so people and their families throughout the region can continue to enjoy all the park has to offer for years to come.” 

The funding, if approved in the budget process, would restore a deteriorated amphitheater and replace damaged, failing seats and collapsing cement with a scenic grass hillside. Additional work would include the removal and destruction of two collapsing building structures.

The House received more than 800 budget submissions, totaling more than $4 billion. Each of these requests is available at house.mi.gov/LegislativelyDirectedSpendingItems.

BeGole represents the village of Chesaning as part of the 71^st House District in the Michigan Legislature.