HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Three major pledges have boosted the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association members’ effort to build an Ottawa County public observatory, by $10,000, according to member Peter Burkey.
The Holland SAAA is trying to raise $65,000 to build a permanent and public observatory at Ottawa County’s Hemlock Crossing park; so far, they have $36,500, Burkey told WHTC-AM/FM.
Friends of Ottawa County Parks and the Ottawa County Parks Foundation each pledged $2500, while Ottawa County Parks pledged $5,000.
West Michigan currently has no public observatory. The club has a donor page on its website, holland-saaa.org.
The next SAAA public program is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Hemlock Crossing, 8115 W. Olive Rd. in West Olive. This public program will focus on identifying stars, planets and other heavenly bodies visible in the summer sky, with members sharing their telescopes for viewing the sky.
