CICS Moving On Pavilion Project

Citizens’ Initiative for Community Spaces (CICS) is moving ahead with their initial project of rebuilding the pavilion in the Margretville village park with the assistance of architecture students from Parsons The New School for Design. The CICS group includes representatives from all interested parties including, the Chamber of Commerce, Village residents and business people, Village officials, Fire Department volunteers, and Margaretville Central School students and they welcome anyone who wishes to be involved to come to their monthly meetings.
Asked why the pavilion was chosen as their initial project, David France said that there were two reasons. “The mayor informed us that the pavilion is in such bad shape that it could come down in a winter storm this year. If it is not replaced immediately, it could lose its grandfathered status which would mean that there might be no structure left for barbecues and other similar community events. In addition, we had a golden opportunity to move on a new design with free labor from Parsons.” Graduate students and their professors have adopted the pavilion project as part of the school’s prestigious “Design Workshop,” which last year designed a commercial building in a Mississippi town ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Ultimately, the Margaretville Village Board will review and approve the new pavilion design. The students will begin the construction themselves, in July.
The pavilion is currently used for three major events during the summer: the Firemen’s July 4th carnival, the Margaretville Memorial Hospital antiques and flea market and The Cauliflower Festival. It’s an important site for fundraising and hopefully will be used more by local organizations and individuals once it is rebuilt and made more attractive.
In outlining their fundraising plans, CICS members emphasized that they will be trying to obtain a number of grants from foundations and government sources. Local support will also be important. The various fundraising activities will start after a public meeting is held at which time people can learn about the project, ask questions and voice their opinions. CICS is currently working on creating a web page that will provide information about their plans and the progress of their endeavors. Anyone interested in joining the group should call Marc Osterweil at 586-2830 for more information.