It may not be seen, but progress is being made in restoring the bandshell in Owen Sound’s Queen’s Park.
Francesca Dobbyn — a member of the Save the Bandshell group — says with an engineer’s report in hand, they are now waiting for approval from council.
Dobbyn says engineer Brian Breukleman assessed the bandshell for the group and they found that everything about an inch above the current stage can be salvaged.
The stage and everything below it, including the base and foundation, needs to be redone.
She says when they go to lift off the roof, they may find that it needs repairs, but she’s hoping they can keep as much of the original material and design as possible.
But Dobbyn adds when they do go to rebuild, they want to use materials that will last for the years to come.
Dobbyn calls the engineer’s report a huge step forward.
They’ve taken a plan to the parks and recreation committee, which includes rotating the bandshell 45 degrees.
Dobbyn says they have the department’s approval, and now they’re just waiting for the plan to go to council for approval.
The group is hoping to be able to raise enough money and materials to cover the cost of the restoration.
Dobbyn says anyone who wants to volunteer to help out in any capacity is always welcome.
The next meeting is Thursday night at 7 PM at the United Way building in downtown Owen Sound.
