With much fanfare, a dream became reality today. The new River Mill Park Rotary Bandshell was officially opened this morning with speeches, a ribbon-cutting and a performance by the Muskoka Concert Band.
Huntsville Festival of the Arts general manager Rob Saunders kicked off the festivities by saying how much the bandshell will be “used for so many different things and just become part of having great things to do in Huntsville.”
Saunders (pictured below at the podium) thanked the key players and supporters of the project, (from left) Mayor Scott Aitchison, president of the Rotary Club of Huntsville Brandy Van Gelder, Joan Wager from Hutcheson, Reynolds and Caswell representing Aviva Insurance, Jim Alexander and Ryan Hamilton from Algonquin Natural Stone (with Ryan’s son Jared), Paul Evans from Watersedge Designers Builders, Ross Kirwin from the Rotary Club of Huntsville, MP Tony Clement, Helena Renwick from the downtown Huntsville BIA, president of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Karen Cassian, and conductor of the Muskoka Concert Band, Neil Barlow.
Mayor Scott Aitchison praised the Rotary Club for their effort in completing the project.
I remember coming down a couple of days ago while there was an army of Rotarians laying sod, scrambling to get things done…if you want a job done, you want it done well and you want it done fast, call a Rotarian.
Mayor Scott Aitchison
Brandy Van Gelder, president of the Rotary Club of Huntsville noted that the 45-member strong group has a history of undertaking, completing or contributing to both large and small scale projects in the community, including the $400,000 skate park, the pavilion at Avery Beach, the River Mill Park playground, and a $100,000 commitment to the Huntsville Hospital. She thanked Huntsville’s businesses and residents for their support. “It’s amazing how much the town pulls together for events like this. And everyone who got on board in the excitement for voting for the Aviva Community Fund to assist with this amazing new legacy project.”
(Above from left) Mayor Scott Aitchison and Brandy Van Gelder, President of the Rotary Club of Huntsville
The bulk of funding for the project came from a $30,000 Aviva Community Fund grant, the Rotary Club of Huntsville’s core pledge of $60,000, a $10,000 contribution from both the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and the downtown Huntsville BIA, and $5,000 from the Muskoka Concert Band. Local businesses and individuals also donated time and materials to the project or were instrumental in keeping the project on target; all were thanked by Ross Kirwin from the Rotary Club, including Paul Evans and Watersedge Designers Builders, Jim Alexander and Algonquin Natural Stone, Ron Pratt Electric, Monty Cloutier from Muskoka Crane Service, Duncan Ross Architect, Phil Betts at Contractors Rental Supply (CRS), Steve Campbell, Drew Markham who came up with the brick fundraiser idea, Peter Redwood, Rob Saunders, and others.
Ross Kirwin, Rotary Club of Huntsville
“The idea of resurrecting the bandshell project was first debated on October 6, 2013,” said Ross Kirwin from the Rotary Club. “It took until Jan 2015 for us to be able to move forward. We are now complete except for the donor wall. It was our goal to create a functional piece of art in the park and I believe we have accomplished our goal.” He then jokingly rolled out a scroll with a list of names of people he said he now owes for their help with the project.
The stage was then turned over to the Muskoka Concert Band for O Canada and the first official concert in the new structure.
The engraved bricks will be added to the back wall of the bandshell by the middle of July. The structure will be handed over to the Town of Huntsville for management.
Related stories:
Grand opening for new River Mill Park Rotary Bandshell is this Saturday
Construction begins on River Mill Park bandshell
Permanent bandshell for Huntsville’s River Mill Park to be built in time for spring
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I agree with Bill Beatty…the Pipes and Drums play a wonderful role in many functions here in Huntsville…So thanks to The Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums and particularly the big Mary Lake Fellas with the big drum.
A great addition to the Town. Thanks Rotary!
The first event “Beerfest” was a huge success and the sound was amazing from the new structure! The only thing that could have improved the day would have been a few more tunes from that fabulous band, The Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and DRUMS. Congrats, people.
What an amazing community we live in – thank you to all the hard work that the Rotarians do for this community. The Bandshell is a wonderful addition and today certainly kicked it off with a bang. Job well done!!!!