Park officials plan to build a new pavilion in time for the 2012 season.
WESTFIELD – After 60 years as a picturesque landmark for numerous weddings, social and civic functions, the Frank Stanley Beveridge Pavilion at Stanley Park has fallen victim to deterioration.
Stanley Park president Jeffrey W. Glaze announce the closing of the landmark this week as well as plans to rebuild the structure.
“This structure has hosted thousands of weddings, banquets, performances and meetings has succumbed to a serious insect infestation and severe winter damage,” Glaze said in a prepared statement.
He said because of safety reasons, neighbors and visitors will be prohibited from entering the area adjacent to the pavilion.
Park Director Robert C. McKean said “safety comes first. That is our main concern.”
McKean explained the decision to close the pavilion was based on a recent inspection of the facility that included a review by a structural engineer.
“This post and beam structure has served the community for the past 60 years. It must now be demolished but we are launching plans for a new structure to be built at the park hopefully in time for the 2012 season.
McKean said efforts are underway to reschedule events already planned for this year and to assist people in finding alternative locations for weddings and other functions.
“We will rebuild and may incorporate the new structure into a resource type building,” McKean said. The new structure will be a three- or four-season type building, he said.
The pavilion will be razed as soon as all necessary permits and precautions are completed, officials said.
Most of the kitchen equipment and other materials at the pavilion will be saved for use in the new building, said McKean.
Stanley Park, along with most of the structures there, including the pavilion, were created and built by the late Frank Stanley Beveridge.
Glaze said “the legacy of Stanley Park will continue to flourish. This is an opportunity to rebuild an appropriate pavilion facility that will take Stanley Park into the next century.”