RISING FROM ASHES

Completion of roof work at the new Riverside Park pavilion occurred in December. The old pavilion burned to the ground in February 2011.

Ceremony Sunday marks official opening of pavilion 

A spanking new pavilion risen from the ashes of a disastrous February 2011 fire waits to greet the public in a ceremony Sunday at Riverside Park.

Throngs of well-wishers are expected to turn out at 11 a.m. that day for the ribbon-cutting marking the official opening of the pavilion, rebuilt on the site where the historic old pavilion went up in smoke and flames in the early morning hours of Feb. 13, 2011. 

Following the disaster, city officials, the local Soroptimist Club and a host of community volunteers joined in a fundraising effort to build a new facility that looks much like the original early 1900s structure but features improvements, including a state-of-the-art kitchen area and better storage options.

THE OLD pavilion was destroyed in a disastrous February 2011 fire. The new pavilion waits to greet its public in a ceremony Sunday at Riverside Park.

Contractors began construction in early spring, with the completed project ready now for its public unveiling.

La Grande Mayor Daniel Pokorney said he encourages everybody to come to the ribbon-cutting, which immediately follows the Soroptimists’ annual breakfast ---- a tradition at the pavilion for decades.

“The Soroptimists, along with many, many people and businesses in the community, spearheaded the fundraising for the rebuild. There were grants that city employees worked hard to get, and all that together has resulted in a beautiful facility for the whole community,” Pokorney said.

The mayor, joined by city councilors, City Manager Robert Strope, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Touhey and Soroptimist President Rebecca Lowman, will preside over the ceremony.

Light refreshments will be served following the ribbon cutting.