LEWISTON — An effort to rescue and relocate Kennedy Park’s historic gazebo and bandstand kicks off this winter as backers will begin asking local businesses for financial support.
“That’s the big problem right now is getting the funds,” said Bill Clifford, chairman of the Kennedy Park Bandstand Restoration Committee. “We have a commitment from the city for $75,000 but we need to raise $2 for every $1 of city money.”
The gazebo has been closed and fenced off since 2010 due to safety concerns — damage to the concrete floor, erosion on the brick supports and wear on the wooden columns and the wood structure under the roof.
Councilors voted in June to give the group until June 2014 to come up with the money they need to build a gazebo at the park’s eastern entrance, near the intersection of Bates and Walnut streets, and move the roof from the current gazebo.
Early estimates place the cost of the work at $260,000. Plans call for starting work in early spring, Clifford said.
Clifford said the committee will be looking for big sponsors, possibly a bank, law firm, doctors office or other business.
“We have a little bit of time left and we think we can get there,” he said. “Maybe someone would be interested in taking naming rights. That’s one thing we are thinking of.”
For information about the restoration project, contact Bill Clifford at [email protected] or committee Treasurer Heather Hunter at [email protected].
Comments are no longer available on this story