By BEN KLEINE

Staff writer

The Marion Park board, Marion Advancement Campaign, Kiwannis, and PRIDE have raised $22,000 to replace the bathrooms and gazebo in Marion Central Park.

Park board representative Todd Heitschmidt said fundraising efforts are ongoing but there have not been any donations since the beginning of 2013.

While the original goal was $100,000, Heitschmidt said the current plan is to contract work on bathrooms when $60,000 or $70,000 is raised.

Even though the gazebo has suffered termite damage, Heitschmidt said that piece of the project is secondary.

Heitschmidt spoke to the Marion Chamber of Commerce Friday about the possibility of local contractors performing the concrete, plumbing, and electrical work for the project.

Of the $22,000 raised, money that goes to the MAC as the nonprofit organization, Heitschmidt said $13,000 has come from three donors.

Approximately another $4,000 has come from the Marion High School class of 1963.

Heitschmidt added that the class program — if individual classes can raise $3,000, MAC will pay for a reunion party — is still being offered. MAC is catering a meal for the class of ’63 on Old Settler’s Day.

With fundraising for the park, the four Marion organizations are also using donations for scholarships. Heitschmidt said between $600 and $800 in scholarships were awarded last year.

The group will begin accepting applications for new scholarships at the beginning of April.

Scholarships are offered through the Marion Advancement Campaign and are available through the Marion High School counselor.