Groundbreaking starts for multimillion-dollar renovations at Sherman Park, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A Milwaukee staple on the city’s west side is receiving a multimillion-dollar upgrade.

It’s called “Sherman Park Re-imagined” and officials said Wednesday it’s a groundbreaking investment that’s been years in the making.

Dozens gathered on the grounds of the park and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) on April 24 to celebrate the beginning of Phase One’s renovations.

Those include new lighting, pathways, resurfaced basketball courts, a splash pad, concession area, and an upgraded club facility.

“It’s been a long time coming and now that we’re here, it’s exciting,” said Deonte Lewis with the BGCGM. “We want to serve as a hub for this village, so being able to make sure we provide the young people and the young people at heart a space they can actually get active in and is safe.”

Thanks to federal funding and local donations, Lewis said this is a step towards investing in future generations he hopes inspires others.

“This is just going to do wonders for this entire community,” said Milwaukee Co. Executive David Crowley. “To have this BGCGM is really essential and critical to the development of our young people but quite frankly to our many families as well.”

Phase Two of the renovations is expected to finish in November of this year.

Both the BGCGM and the park will remain open during construction.

“We want to make sure we’re investing in some of our most vulnerable neighbourhoods,” Crowley said. “We know that Sherman Park, for many years, has been asking and fighting for this level of investment.”