With A Little Help, Lions Club Revamps Gazebo

Thanks to the efforts of the Canton Lions Club, the town and some others, the gazebo at the Town Green is well on its way toward fully restored condition.

“It’s a landmark for the town,” club member Chuck Fillian said.

Although town owned, Lions Club members said they feel an affinity and obligation for the structure, as the organization built it around 1955.

“We put this up to begin with,” said Bob Bessel. “We feel we have some responsibility for it.”

The revamping of the structure is a joint venture between local organizations and the town. Earlier this year, the Board of Selectmen voted to put $7,914.50 of Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) funds from the state toward the project.

That included $2,104 for lead paint abatement, $710 for electrical work and materials, $400 for paint and stain, $500 for plants, $2,700 for a code compliant railing system and more.

Much of that work, including lead abatement, has been finished.

The Lions Club agreed to contribute both financially and with volunteer effort. The club’s contribution includes about $5,000 for a long-lasting PVC decking material.

Bessel said the club has three areas of giving, including local initiatives in the form of scholarships, team sponsorship etc.; support for organizations that work to help those with blindness and related issues; and “big projects.”

The club has been saving for a long time and members grappled with the gazebo.

In recent years, fewer events have been held there, partially due to parking issues. That and other issues led the club wondering if it was the best place to put their effort and money. 

But Bessel said in talking to residents, support was strong.

“I think it’s one of those things that defines Canton,” Bessel said.

First Selectman Richard Barlow, expressed his thanks for the volunteer effort and agreed with Bessel.

“It’s one of those pieces of infrastructure that kind of defines the town to a lot of people,” he said.

In late October, the Lions Club began installing the decking. It's nearly done even though the project was delayed due to the snowstorm. The club also installed the railing and plans to put on gutters as well. They hope to finish up their work this weekend.

The finishing touches to the gazebo, however, will likely come after winter. It may be spring before the town can get to a final painting of the outside of the gazebo, chief administrative officer Robert Skinner said.

Also part of the project is the Cherry Brook Garden Club. President Anne Duncan said the club really looks forward to sprucing up the area for the holidays and still may if work is far enough along.

But in the spring, the club really plans to pitch in.

“We’ll certainly do a big planting this Spring,” she said.

The club will talk to some landscape designers for ideas and choose a plan, she said. It also plans to put some of its own funding in to add to what the town is purchasing.

Duncan, a resident since the early 1970s, also remembers a time when numerous events were held on the green.

And come spring, Bessel feels a revamped structure will attract more attention as well.

“Now it’s usable again,” he said. “It’s a contender.”