A jewel of a space to play
New Victoria Park cultural pavilion officially opens during Natal Day celebrations
A new jewel has been added to Queen Victoria’s legacy in Charlottetown.
The new Victoria Park cultural pavilion was officially opened as part of the city’s 162nd birthday celebrations during the Natal Day weekend.
The bandstand-style cultural pavilion will fill an infrastructure void in the city, with Lt.Gov. Frank Lewis describing the project as long awaited.
“This pavilion is another jewel in Queen Victoria’s great legacy to the City of Charlottetown, Victoria Park,” said Lewis, noting the parkland was once part of Fanningbank and was given to the city at Victoria’s behest after P.E.I. joined Confederation.
“The modern Victoria Park is a well-used, well-loved public space of abundant variety. This new pavilion will add yet another opportunity for the enjoyment of this park.”
The site previously had a similar structure that was built in 1973 to recognize the centennial anniversary of P.E.I.’s entrance into confederation.
However it was severely damaged in the mid-1980s and a temporary structure has since been used for events at the site.
Constructing a new pavilion as a focal point and welcoming space was part of a comprehensive master plan developed for Victoria Park in 2013.
Brian Moase was one of many who attended Saturday’s opening that could remember the original structure.
He was pleased with the new pavilion.
“It’s very nice,” said Moase, adding he felt the structure was much needed.
Resident Jody Mosher also approved.
“I think it’s a beautiful building and they’ll get lots of use out of it,” she said.
The federal government provided half of the funding for the project, which had a price tag of $162,000.
Mayor Clifford Lee said the purpose of the facility is to create a space for the city’s arts and culture community.
“There’s many, many groups in our community with a lot of talent to share,” said Lee, noting that the only two rules governing the facility is that there will never be admission charged for events and that alcohol will not be served.
“City council said from day one ‘if we’re going to do this project, then we want to make sure it’s for families.’ It’s for family entertainment and is a way to bring families in the community together.”
The event also saw Charlottetown MP Sean Casey and Charlottetown-Victoria Park MLA Richard Brown in attendance.