In the wake of growing public opposition a Fond du Lac business group is making a PR push for an alternate Lakeside Park master plan a week before the Fond du Lac city council takes up the matter. The plan includes a restaurant on the lighthouse peninsula and amphitheater on Oven Island. Responding to public concerns the head of Destination Lake Winnebago Region’s Craig Molitor says restaurant would not detract from the lighthouse. “This building is going to be tastefully designed, it will be carefully placed, and super-modestly sized,” Molitor said. Molitor says the peninsula is the best location in the park for the building. President of Integrity Saw and Tool Paul Reetz says local businesses have pledged more than $5 million toward the overall project cost. “As an employer, when I look to bring in high-caliber candidates to the Fond du Lac region I would be honored to take them to Lakeside Park to show them new amenities at that park,” Reetz said. Envision Greater Fond du Lac president Sadie Parafiniuk says the project will help local businesses retain and attract talent. The group is holding a public forum Wednesday evening at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds Expo building. The city council will take up an Advisory Park Board recommendation next week to put the question to a public referendum.
