Bandstand plans on the move
Bannerman Park Foundation expects to have designs next month
The vice-chairwoman of a group implementing a master plan to revamp Bannerman Park in St. John’s says it should have detailed designs next month for a pavillion that could replace a bandstand predating Confederation.
“We have a consultant that’s doing the detailed design work,” said Shannie Duff, of the Bannerman Park Foundation.
The Facebook page for the group recently shared a series of images depicting how the park may appear once plans are approved for additions to the park. Among them were concept drawings of a pavillion surrounded by an ice skating trail.
“They’re close enough to what we want that I think they’re fairly accurate,” said Duff, who is also the deputy mayor of St. John’s. “By midto-late September, we’re going to have the images that are based on detailed designs, which will be more accurate.”
The master plan for Bannerman Park was completed in 2003. Some residents have since expressed concerns about the possibility of losing the bandstand, which was built in the 1940s, having replaced an earlier bandstand.
“What we’re trying to accomplish with the pavillion is something that is actually more useable for small-scale cultural facilities than the present bandstand,” said Duff.
Duff notes the current bandstand is not wheelchair accessible, has poor sightlines, and is small. She said the new pavillion, if it is completed, will hopefully accommodate theatre and musical performances, while having its own lighting and electrical system.
“The bottom line is we want to make it more useable for a lot more people as part of enlivening the park and providing the kinds of things people seem to want these days in terms of how they use parks.”
Duff said the recommendation from the consultant on the original master plan for Bannerman Park found it was not feasible to work with the existing structure of the bandstand for expanded use.
Acknowledging that others have suggested a way should be found to keep the bandstand, Duff said the pavillion concept simply holds more potential than the existing structure.
Meanwhile, Duff said the ice skating trail will likely accommodate skaters from October to late March. She said a maintained outdoor skating surface is among the most commonly requested recreation infrastructure items in the city.
“It’s not safe anymore on the ponds, and the possibility of freezing the baseball field won’t work for a number of reasons, so this was the most viable option, but I think it’s also exciting.”
The ice trail will not be a speed skating oval, noted Duff, and will give the park winter visits it is otherwise unaccustomed to.
The City of St. John’s has committed to match funds raised by the Bannerman Park Foundation in order to pay for the potential park improvements.
Duff said the foundation has quietly raised $500,000 since form- ing two years ago. Upgrades to the swimming facility and playground are also included in the master plan.
Duff said the foundation is in the process of approaching potential sponsors for major contributions as part of a capital campaign.
A new Garden of Memories will be officially unveiled Aug. 23, and the foundation announced recently that actor and writer Mary Walsh will serve as its campaign chairwoman.