A Generous Offer Is Made To Save Black Hawk Statue

On the heels of the first summer fundraiser to finish restoring Black Hawk statue in Oregon, a generous offer was made to save it.

But... there are strings attached to it.

What kind of strings are we talking about?

The Daily Chronicle shares that the Illinois DNR is considering an offer made by the Shabbonna Golf Course to save the 104-year statue.

The golf course has offered $400,000 to finish the restoration process on the "Eternal Indian" sculpture "in exchange for a 50-year lease on 100 acres of Shabbona Lake State Park."

"Indian Oaks Golf Club owner Bruce Novak wants to expand the nine-hole course that adjoins the park to 18 holes."

Mr. Novak sent his proposal to "state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, and Demmer presented it to IDNR officials last week." According to Demmer "The department is willing and interested in reviewing this idea,...It’s an outside-the-box proposal.”

The DNR  has since asked Novak "to submit a formal proposal outlining the acres he wants. Officials will review the proposal to determine the short- and long-term effects to the environment, wildlife and habitat, and park operations."

Although they are considering other options for the statue, this one seems to be the most encouraging in finishing the work on the sculpture and getting it out from under wraps of those ugly black tarps.

It's awesome to see this icon getting attention that's it's been needing so badly the last couple of years.

What do you think of this proposal? Is it a good one?

I think that it seems to be the most tangible and obtainable option to get the job done.

Is it a fair exchange?