VENTURA : Fund Raising to Continue for Pier Restoration

While the official campaign to raise funds to restore the Ventura Pier will end this month, the leader of the Ventura Pier Campaign said the effort to build a $1-million endowment fund will continue for years.

Monty Clark, the campaign chairman, said Monday that 2,400 residents have so far donated at least $100 each to help restore the pier, earning a spot on two memorial displays.

Potential contributors have until the end of this month to make donations of $1,000 or more for inclusion on the major donor wall, Clark said. So far, 80 individuals and groups have each donated at least $1,000 in cash or the equivalent in services.

Those who wish to purchase $105 gift certificates for “grant deeds” to the 4,713 pier planks and other memorabilia will have until the end of January to buy the certificates and return them to the city.

Despite the winding down of the official campaign, Clark said the volunteer efforts will go on. Because of continuing interest in the pier restoration, Clark said the steering committee will continue to add names to the panels for some time.

“People have been so emotionally involved, especially with the memorial panel, that we expect to add some new names every two to three months,” Clark said. “It will take us several years to completely fill up the wall.”

To date, the Ventura Pier Campaign has raised $345,000 in cash and received $85,000 worth of in-kind contributions, Clark said.

The funds have been turned over to the nonprofit Ventura County Community Foundation, which will give the money to the city each year for the pier’s “maintenance and enhancement.”

The campaign’s steering committee will meet next month to plot a future course, Clark said. While the campaign’s active phase will have ended, Clark said he believes that the committee will continue to raise funds until it meets its long-term goal of raising $1 million for the endowment fund.

“This started out as a private thing,” Clark said. “This is not just the city, but a group of folks who want to preserve the pier.”

Donations or purchases of gift certificates may be made by calling the Ventura Pier Campaign at (800) 880-PIER this week. After that, donors will have to call 658-4726 or stop by the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau at 89-C California St.