THUNDER BAY -- The pavilion at Waverley Park is officially back.
A crowd of about 200 people gathered at the park on Saturday to bear witness to the unveiling of the new landmark.
Keith Nymark, president of the coalition at Waverley Park, says the goal is to get more people using the park and build community.
“Thunder Bay is a great place to live, and we need to get people out enjoying themselves,” Nymark said. “This pavilion will do that.”
The process to complete the pavilion took the course of seven years, Nymark said they were lucky to receive a federal grant which contributed $100,000 to the project. A coalition fundraiser and two donations from the city also contributed to the cause.
“We were really fortunate.”
The pavilion is snugly located next to the gymnasium at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, facing Waverley Street.
The opening ceremonies immediately utilized the area by sequencing a series of performance artists for the audience to enjoy.
Nymark says the space can be used as a public performance space that serves as an alternative to Marina Park.
“The Marina is excellent for large groups, lots of people, and louder music,” Nymark said. “Here we want to see acoustic, two-or-three performers… It’s going to be a nice compliment.”
Coun. Rebecca Johnson was on hand to cut the ribbon, and said although the city did help fund some of the project its spirit is volunteer-driven.
“Kudos to the community,” she said. “They went out and got the money, and they made sure it happened.”
Johnson stressed the importance of maintaining and re-using heritage locations in the area.
“History is very important here… It’s the second-oldest municipal park in the province of Ontario,” Johnson said. “And now it’s a gathering place, that’s really important to have in the community.”
