Milan dedicates basketball water tower
Amy Davidson
The new tower in the Town of Milan with its own branded name Basketball Town USA!
The long-awaited water tower project is complete after years of dedicated research, grant funding, and construction of the new tower built in the heart of Milan. The town of Milan board and engineers held a dedication ceremony, inviting the public to an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 3.
The new 150,000-gallon water storage tank replaced the older standpipe, taken down, that had been in service since 1964. Curry & Associates/Fleis VandenBrink were part of the engineering and construction management services on site for the new tower. Bob Curry, engineer, stated during the ceremony, “We are very grateful to be a part of this project. As I am a lover of basketball, I think this was the greatest idea. I have always been intrigued with Milan since the ’54 team. Having this tower says that one, there is water in the town and then two, there is a lot of memories shared here in the town of Milan. You are all great people!”
Deb Shumate, Milan Town Council President, who spoke on behalf of the town stated to The Versailles Republican, “As we were working on the basketball theme, we came up with branding our tower. Yes, we are known for the ’54 team and museum, along with festivities, but Indiana, as I call it, is the basketball state of the nation. After discussing ideas, Tim Molinari thought, “Why not our own brand? Basketball Town USA! Branding ourselves is its own stand alone for the town spouting, shouting to everyone this is our brand, this is who we are, along with having the ’54 Museum and the filming of the movie Hoosiers.”
Justin Smith, of Milan, spoke on behalf of new project team for Milan Main Street as a group is forming in the preliminary stages and will be called FOCUS. This group will strive to help with projects and help support making Milan continue to grow and thrive for new beginnings for the Town of Milan. Smith stated that this new development hopes to collaborate with residents, local businesses, along with working with the government to make their town better. This opportunity will not only to give the support to locals, but make a great place for others tocome and see the great accomplishments the town of Milan has already made.
The Milan Town Council, responsible for this infrastructure improvements on the new tower project are President, Deb Shumate, Vice-President Andrew Olman, and Mark Marsee at Large. Clerk Treasurer, Melissa Teer, oversaw the construction phase grant and loan coordination throughout the project with Manager, Doug Price leading the staff of individuals dedicated to the Town’s utilities.
Many came out to show their support. Keith and Patti Abbott stated to The Versailles Republican, “It’s a great thing for the town, and we’re impressed with what they have done. Thanks to the Town for all the hard work. I’m so glad we have our own trademark Milan Basketball Town USA!” Dan Burchett (Board member of the ’54 Museum) and his wife, Linda, were honored to be a part of the dedication ceremony and the project for the new basketball lighting at the museum. Dan was an actor in the movie Hoosiers as a photographer. He stated to the paper, “I received 67 autographs and was happy to meet celebrities as Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper. Someone’s dream to be able to meet that many celebrities and glad I got to be able to be a part of another milestone for this town.”
A small celebration with refreshments and drinks was served to the public attending after the ceremony. This was just the beginning of the Annual Milan Fourth of July festivities at the Daren Barker Memorial Park with food trucks, vendors, fireworks and an Independence celebration parade on the 4th of July.
