Archive: Around Town

Construction has begun on a new band stand in Myers Park, the latest building donation to the Town by the Lansing Lions Club.  Lions Club volunteers are hoping to complete the structure in time for the first "Concert in the Park" on June 28th.  "All the work is donated from people in the community," says Char Wilson, who is coordinating the volunteer effort.  "Our contractor John Moravic has been wonderful.  He is a Lion and he's donating some of his employees to help build this project.  The Town has pitched in -- they've brought in the fill and the stone.  Bill Kirk dug the holes for the posts."


The Lions have been raising funds for the building for about two years.  So far the club has raised $15,000 from private and business donations and the proceeds from the sale of the Lansing Throw, a blanket that commemorates Lansing, designed by Lion Noni Krom.  But Wilson says that the band stand may cost between 20 and 25 thousand dollars.  People or businesses donating $250 or more will be commemorated by a plaque on the structure.  The money goes to pay for materials and some services such as the pouring the concrete footings.


Krom says the band stand will be used for concerts and other events in Myers Park, including weddings and dances.  The 24' x 24' structure is designed to hold large bands such as the Ithaca Concert Band, which will play the inaugural 28th concert there if it is completed in time.  The Lions Club has worked closely with Town Parks Superintendent Steve Colt on the placement and design.  The building will have steps on the side facing the audience area, and electrical power to handle lighting and sound needs for performers.

The band stand is the latest in a series of building projects the Lansing Lions Club has donated for public use, including some of the pavilions at Myers Park and the Lansing Community Center building in the Town Hall square.  After looking at several prefabricated options, the Lions decided to build their own gazebo to keep costs down.  Wilson says 20 to 25 people are working on the structure.  John Dean, who was instrumental in getting the Lansing lighthouse built, drew the plans.  Others have donated as well.  Duthe Painting donated Devoe stain for the project.  "I went up to get it," says Wilson.  "And Rick (Duthe) said, 'Why don't I donate it?'"


Contractor John Moravic, who is a Lion, not only donated his own time, but that of his skilled employees as well.  "We know that there are certain parts that have such details that will need our expertise to handle them," says Moravic's John Manuel.  "They are mainly getting it out of the ground, and building the roof."

Many of the other volunteers are skilled builders as well, including Rick Sill and Richard Clink, who installed the floor joists last week.  But when it comes to the complicated octagonal roof Moravic's crew will be on hand.  "It can't get much more tricky than that, so we're planning to bring some guys back in the next phase," Manuel says.  "We'll stay close to it and see where things are."


Wilson says it will be finished with a solid stain, although that won't be done in time for this summer's concert series.  The dark finish will be used to match other pavilions in the park.  ""It's going to be wonderful," she says.

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