MIDDLEBURY — At least three dozen people gathered in the Middlebury Rec Park on Thursday, Sept. 19, to dedicate the new Lions Club Picnic Pavilion. Queen of the Lions Helen Bigelow and her grandson Teddy Curran cut a celebratory ribbon with many Lions, selectboard members and Middlebury Parks and Recreation Superintendent Dustin Hunt in attendance.
Hunt said the dedication marked “the end of a three-year process that started with an idea and grew into a reality thanks to a dedicated group of people who shared a common vision. The end result is a structure that instantly becomes the crown jewel of a focused effort to revitalize the Middlebury Recreation Park and make it a destination for the Middlebury community and beyond.”
The pavilion will be used by families as they celebrate birthday parties, baby showers, team functions and everything in between.
“We are so proud to be able to provide a space worthy of these milestone moments and can’t wait to hear about the memories created here for years to come,” Hunt said in prepared remarks.
He expressed the town’s appreciation to DeBisschop Excavating, Pete Bania and the team from Morton Buildings, Donnie Sargent and his crew from Sargent Concrete and Construction, J.P Carrara and Sons and the town of Middlebury Highway Crew for the work they all put into the project.
“I would like to recognize the Middlebury Lions Club because without their continued support this structure would not be standing here today,” Hunt said. “Under the leadership of Randy Bigelow the club was instrumental in seeing this project through from conception to completion and it is my hope that all the members know how much our department appreciates their efforts and what a valuable gift they have given to our community.
After the ribbon cutting those in attendance enjoyed a free barbecue meal.