FRIENDS IN THE MAKING

Friends Of The White Rock Bath House

A group of White Rock area neighbors formed this group to lessen losses felt at the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake following the city’s budget balancing.

“City cuts severed funding for the director position at the Bath House, plus about $25,000 from the cultural center’s administrative budget,” says Mel Cyrak, the group’s vice president.

The group raised $50,000 to keep the director, Marty Van Kleeck (who has a wide range of responsibilities at the center) in her position.

“The city cut the position, but then reinstated it without funding” after the public complained, Cyrak explains.

District 9 Councilman Sheffie Kadane and District 10 Councilman Jerry Allen each contributed a portion of their discretionary funds toward the cultural center, he says, and profits from cultural events such as the Bath House Cultural Center Art Mart also help.

Cyrak and others hope to model the Friends of the Bath House after groups such as Friends of the Katy Trail.

That said, he would not necessarily advocate a combination of the groups.

“Each group has its own distinct character and combination of grassroots support. Each has its own niche, and the lake greatly benefits from all of them,” Winters says. “If they ever decided to coordinate, that impetus would come from within those groups, not the Park Board. It is working well as it is, and we enjoy a great relationship with members of each group.”

Those who regularly use the lake’s ammenities are often the same volunteers who help keep it pristine.

Group leaders seem to share the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.

“I think it’s great that we have so many groups,” says White Rock Lake Foundation board member Susan Falvo. “A few years ago we heard it would take $70 million to see the White Rock Lake Master plan through, so if we have a million groups, great!”

Rachel Fitzgerald says the White Rock Lake Conservancy is committed to helping other groups meet their goals.

When asked about tension among members from various groups, FTLOTL’s Susan Hello acknowledges there has been some, though she doesn’t quite understand it.

“I don’t know the thought process there, but I am happy when good things happen for the lake. I think that’s how most feel.”

In that spirit, Hello and other FTLOTL members attended the White Rock Lake Festival last month.

“I was beaming at [the foundation’s] success,” Hello says. “How could you not be happy about that?”