PROJECTS - BANDSTAND

Although you may not have heard anything lately, the Bandstand Project is still in place.  For those of you who haven’t heard anything at all, here’s a little background info:
    The original bandstand was built by the Village in 1954 for the Lyons High School Band Performances.  Originally located in the area between the Veterans Monument and the Lyons Township Library, it was later moved behind the VFW and is still there as a storage building.  In February 2006, after some preliminary drawings and plans, Lyons Village Council approved looking into rebuilding it in the Devore Island Park.  Total current projected material costs (all top quality, long lasting and low maintenance) are approximately $19,200.  All necessary permits, including Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Ionia County Building Department with Soil Erosion have been acquired and paid.  These permits and plans are available for review at the Lyons Village Office.  In order to keep labor costs at an extreme minimum, I am looking to local contractors and residents with experience to volunteer their skills and resources to help.  Lyons Event Committee could organize an 'old-fashioned barn raisin'.
    A donation board is planned to acknowledge area residents, businesses and organizations who have contributed.  Sales of the lines on this board ( up to 32 characters - $25/ line ) have totaled over $1,200.  Special donations also have been received.  Island Lover T-Shirts are still available and have more than paid for themselves now, so all sale monies go directly to the project fund.  The Lyons 150th Celebration DVDs are available for purchase and all proceeds will also benefit this fund.  The quality four disc set covers the Parade, Talent Show, Games in the Street, Cruise-In, Sesquicentennial and Veterans Monument Rededication Ceremonies and much more.  Suggested donation for the video is $25 with over $20 directly benefitting the fund.      

Current fund balance:  just over $8,300.  I have really focused on making this project truly a community effort.  Funding outside the community has not been pursued in an effort to accomplish the goal ourselves as much as possible.  Ideally, every household in the area would 'own a little piece of it,' with that 'piece' costing about $25.

If you have questions, suggestions or would like to help in ANY way, please contact:
                 Lyons Village Office @ (989) 855-2125 
                 or my cell  (616) 902-0045

I would really like to hear from you!

Thank You,

Bryon Bennett
Project Coordinator