Volunteers refurbish park pavilion

REARDAN – For decades, the pavilion in the park held community events, Mule Days' plays and picnics.

Ultimately, it succumbed to years of wind, rain, sun and snow and fell into disrepair. Now, thanks to a grant, local funds and donations, a cadre of volunteers has refurbished it to its past glory.

Since last year, the future of the deteriorating structure was the discussion at Town Council meetings. A solicited bid suggested the demolition of the pavilion and the cost to re-build it would be $100,000.

Local contractor Wayne Terry proposed another solution. He felt the pavilion could be salvaged and refurbished at a fraction of that cost. He convinced the counsel to accept donations and seek volunteer labor to complete the project. In addition, he volunteered to be the project manager.

"We are so grateful to those who pitched in to the refurbish the pavilion," Mayor Gail Daniels said.

Daniels said the project was partially funded through a grant from the Innovia Foundation and would not have been completed without the expertise of local contractors Jeremy Anderson, Jeff Stevens, Don Walker, Joe Holwagner, Andy Holme and Tony Spencer, and maintenance employees of the Reardan-Edwall School Districted who helped with demolition. She also credited the Lions Club, Mule Days Committee, Highline Grain Growers and Ed Brommer for donating funds.

Daniels said volunteers donated 254 hours of their time and that the renovation was completed for under $25,000.

"Our park gets a lot of use, so I am thrilled with how the pavilion turned out," Daniels said. "I am confident that it will provide 30 more years of community enjoyment."