Park commission approves design of a bandstand for the cupola
Structure could be home to concerts, performances
Design heads to planning
By Nathan R. Huff
Yes, it's been said before, but this time it really could happen--the historic Lyndon cupola may soon have a permanent home in Oak Meadow Park.
The Community Foundation's long-running effort to build a bandstand in the popular family park appears to be nearing fruition. While fundraising continues, Community Foundation president Paul Dubois said the nonprofit group already has enough money to pay for the bandstand.
Concurrently, the foundation, which was created in 1995 by parks commissioners concerned about the fate of the cupola, has secured the town parks commission's endorsement and has submitted architectural and engineering plans to the town for review.
"It's a very nice looking building," parks commission chairwoman April Maiten said. "It keeps in the style of the carriage house [the cupola] was originally housed on."
Dubois said he believes that--this time around--the council will support the idea of placing the cupola on the bandstand. "Everything seems to be all set to move it through smoothly," Dubois said.
The foundation is hoping the council responds more favorably to the bandstand concept than it did last year. In October 1999, the council declined to commit the cupola to the bandstand, saying it wanted to see approved designs and adequate funding. The council also left open the possibility that another individual or group interested in the cupola could come forward with a project in the interim.
Sue Farwell, whose late husband James Farwell was the great grandson of the cupola's namesake, James Lyndon, has expressed intermittent interest in placing the cupola atop her Main Street commercial building. The 19-foot-tall cupola has been in the middle of a mild custody battle since Farwell first broached the idea of incorporating the cupola into her building in 1997.
In May 1998, the restored cupola was placed on a concrete pad in the southwest corner of Oak Meadow Park. While it is fenced off, vandals have broken a number of the wooden panels. According to Dubois, whatever needs to be done to re-restore the cupola will be completed before installing it on the bandstand.
Dubois said the bandstand will cost between $150,000 and $200,000 to build, providing the foundation receives some donated labor and materials. If the project is approved, it will be turned over to the town upon completion. "It becomes a parks asset at that point," Dubois said.
The foundation and commission have high hopes for the bandstand. Concerts and stage performances are among the possible uses for the structure, which would be placed just west of the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. Dubois said the foundation has held preliminary meetings with local access station KCAT, which could wire the bandstand for live broadcasts.
According to Maiten, the parks commission chose the location from four possible Oak Meadow sites presented by the foundation. She said the site provided a backdrop of trees, the best acoustics, the least road noise, and would allow people to picnic while listening to music or watching plays.
Councilman Randy Attaway, who has favored placing the cupola on a building in the past, said he could support the bandstand idea if it's something the community wants. "I think it's going to be up to what the general public wants; I'll be supportive if the general public is," Attaway said. "I want to be confident that it will be used on a basis where everyone can enjoy it."
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