Major Gifts Give Lake Belle View Campaign a Boost - July 29, 2011

The Lake Belle View Campaign announced Thursday that two recent major gifts have helped the campaign reach $700,000. Duluth Trading Company along with owners Steve and Marianne Schlecht made a combined gift of $150,000, and Dave Jenkins, Owner/President of JSD Professional Services, committed $75,000. “We couldn’t be happier,” said Rick Francois, Chair of the campaign, “Achieving a million-dollar campaign in a community of 2,000 is a big challenge, but with the support of the Schlecht and Jenkins families we’ve taken a major step in the right direction.”  Read the entire release

Call for Proposals - Lake Belle View Campaign Seeks Ideas on Permanent Recognition for Donors - March 11, 2011

The Lake Belle View Campaign is off to a great start with over $400,000 in cash and pledges raised. As fundraising efforts continue through the first phase of the campaign, the committee is beginning to look ahead to what type of permanent recognition will be offered to donors. “I think it’s important that everyone who gives to this campaign is recognized in some manner,” said Rick Francois, Chair of the committee, “This is an important campaign for the whole community and we want to reflect that with whatever type of recognition is provided,” he said.  Read the entire release

Lake Belle View Campaign Off to a Great Start - February 2, 2011

The Lake Belle View Campaign, which launched the ‘silent’ major gift phase in September 2010 announced Monday that it is one-third of the way to its goal of raising $1.2 million. “We’re really pleased to pass this benchmark,” said Rick Francois, Chair of the committee, “We have raised $400,705 from the first 17 donors to the campaign.”  Read the entire release

Blaser Family adds $50,000 to their gift for Lake Belleview - September 27, 2010

The restoration of Lake Belleview, including several recreational amenities, got one large step closer last Thursday when the Blaser family increased their commitment to the project by $50,000. Read the entire release

Francois Family Foundation - September 10, 2010

After more than thirty years in the planning stages, the Lake Belle View restoration project recently received a big boost with a $150,000 gift from the Francois Family Foundation.  Read the entire release

Ground Breaking Ceremony - August 6, 2010

The August 6 Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on a beautiful Friday afternoon in Belleville's Community Park. This event launched construction of the Lake Belle View Restoration Project as well the Fundraising Campaign.  Area residents gathered to hear from state and county dignitaries who have joined with local planners to preserve and enhance this valuable lake and wetland area.

WKOW TV Channel 27 - August 6, 2010

BELLEVILLE (WKOW) -- A project about 30 years in the making is finally coming to fruition in Dane County.

Officials kicked off the restoration of Lake Belle View and the Sugar River in Belleville.  Crews will dredge the lake, where in some places the depth is only one or two feet.  The plan is to bring that back to eight to ten feet.  The project has been on-again, off-again for years.  Now officials say it's a definite "go".

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Wisconsin State Journal Article - July 31, 2010

BELLEVILLE — The Lake Belle View restoration saga has been discussed and debated for decades in this community 20 miles southwest of Madison.  "I'll believe it when I see it," is what village residents tell Jim Root, who has served on the Lake Committee off and on for the past 40 years.  But this time, the restoration is happening. Seriously.

Read the entire release