NORWAY — The new picnic shelter at Pennesseewassee Park sits on a cement pad that the contractors say is thicker than some of the runways for military jets at Bangor International Airport.

“It’s a really good job. Taxpayers will get their money’s worth,” said Rick McLaughlin, owner of McLaughlin Builders of Medway. The town contracted McLaughlin Builders to construction the shelter for about $24,000, said Deb Partridge, director of the Norway Recreation Department.

The 14-inch-thick cement pad is one of the interesting features of the 20- by 24-foot shelter. It also features some 380-year-old hemlock from Windham.

Partridge said the town’s “forest management program” paid for the project. The town cut several large pine trees in the park’s forest when they were redoing the parking lot and sold the wood in board feet.

The post and beam construction of mostly hemlock and some pine was completed this week in an area between the boat ramp and the beach. The roof is sheet metal instead of shingles because the overhanging trees tend to leak acidic material,  McLaughlin said.

Partridge said the area can hold groups of up to 50 people. The park is often the site for group events, including weddings, Roberts Farm Preserve events, day care events and class reunions. With about four large picnic tables under the shelter and others around the site, it will become a gathering place for many, she said.

“It’s a wonderful addition to the park,” Partridge said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com