Atlantic, Iowa – The owners of an Atlantic business made a generous donation towards improvements at the Sunnyside Park bandstand.  Doug and Joyce Bierbaum, with Bierbaum Electric said they wanted to “give back” to the city of Atlantic for all the support they have gotten for their business. They donated $5,000 last week for the bandstand improvement project. Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen said the couple approached park staff about their idea, and they discussed different park projects.

“We talked through with them some of our upcoming projects that we have going on throughout all of our parks, and this is one that they felt passionate about donating towards,” Rasmussen said. He said also, leveling the floor of the bandstand would cost approximately $10,000, and the addition of a roof would cost close to $80,000. Bryant said at least two other organizations indicated they would be willing to search for grant funds or collect donations to contribute to the project.

Pictured presenting and accepting a $5,000 donation from Doug and Joyce Bierbaum of Bierbaum Electric to the Atlantic Parks Department are (from left) Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Doug Bierbaum, Joyce Bierbaum, Atlantic Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen and Atlantic Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen. (photo by Jennifer Nichols, Courtesy of the Atlantic News Telegraph).

Rasmussen said a Jefferson resident who recently performed on the bandstand said he wished Jefferson had a similar structure because it was nice to have a permanent structure with electricity available for bands to use.