How Bring Back the Lake (BBTL) Project Can Help Muskego Service Clubs

In a previous opinion piece titled "Muskego Needs to Bring Back the Lake," I discussed how this recently proposed development project can strengthen Muskego's economy and draw visitors from neighboring and nearby communities on a consistent basis.

But in this installment, I wish to set aside economics and instead take a look at the proposed project from the unique angle of what it's like to serve as the president of one of Muskego's fine service clubs. So far, that I'm aware, no one has tackled the issue from this perspective, and I think it is worth discussing.

Before continuing, I must state that I am representing my personal views here, and am not speaking for any service club.

I believe that this proposal has the ability to bring newfound opportunities to our city's service clubs. It can accomplish this through at least a couple different avenues.

As one example, bringing in new businesses can translate into both new members for the various clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, Moose Lodge, Women's Club, etc.) and new partnership opportunities. Everyone wins in this scenario. For the business, it's both low-cost yet effective advertising and a wonderful opportunity to really get involved in the community and develop relationships. For the club, it's the chance to beef up membership dues and potentially create additional financial possibilities through teaming up with these businesses in some way.

Not convinced yet? Consider this: With the proposed development drawing traffic from outside Muskego on a regular basis, the clubs and the major events and fundraisers they hold each year will receive that much more attention. This could translate into the selling of more raffle tickets; more trees and bags of mulch; more food and drinks; more admission fees; more cookies; more donations for the food pantry; more straight-up monetary donations. In short, more traffic equals more exposure and more exposure translates into more sales and donations.

What wonderful opportunities this proposed development project has the potential to bring to our city's service clubs which do so much for our community. Combined, they do anything from funding boy and girl scouts to putting on community easter egg hunts. They help youth sports teams with their uniform and equipment costs. They contribute to the food pantry and to literacy programs. They assist in revitalizing neighborhoods and cleaning up highways. They award scholarships. We can literally go on and on with everything our community's service clubs help make possible. And if this project goes through, I'll bet we can add more to that list.