Brockport's visitor center construction moving along

Donations continue to come in and construction is moving along at a good pace for Brockport's Visitor Center and Erie Canal Museum.

Trustee Carrie Maziarz announced at a recent Brockport Village Board meeting that a $25,000 grant was received from Senator George Maziarz's office toward construction and $2,000 - part of a five-year, $10,000, commitment - grant from Brockport's Wal-Mart was received.

"Construction has been moving along at a good pace," Mayor Josephine Matela said. "With the good weather we've been having we expect to get the roof and windows in within the next week and hope to get it buttoned up soon."

The funds from Wal-Mart were presented by store manager Drew Coleman, to Matela on behalf of the Greater Brockport Development Corporation, on which she serves as president. The commitment received from Wal-Mart was secured by Matela and the village's Economic Development Director Scott Winner and will be used to help defray the cost of operating the Canal Side Community Visitor's Center.

"We appreciate Wal-Mart's commitment to the community and our development effort," Matela said. "And this donation will certainly help us cover the day-to-day operating costs for the center."

It is expected that construction of the center will be completed prior to the beginning of boating season in 2005.