Rotary Raises $350K for Wick Pavilion Upgrades

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rotary Club of Youngstown announced Thursday it has reached its goal of $350,000 in pledges to support renovation of the pavilion at Wick Park on the North Side.

The Rotary Club reported it has about two-thirds of the cash pledged on hand already, allowing the renovation project to move forward. It announced the update in conjunction with the second annual Wedding Soup in Wick Park event presented by Youngstown CityScape.

“This structure is vitally important to the North Side and city of Youngstown, and on behalf of all Rotarians and honored sponsors we are eager to share that we have met our goals and ready to move forward in implementation,” said Bill Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and president of the Youngstown Rotary.

The funds raised will allow work on the pavilion, originally constructed in 1957, to begin soon, earlier than planned. The project was announced as part of the club’s Centennial Campaign.

“This project is a great example of why I joined the Rotary Club of Youngstown. We are really making an impact and accomplishing things as a team,” John Slanina, campaign chairman, said.

“You have 58-year-old systems in here so we’re talking about windows, roof, soffits and fascia, the gutters outside,” as well as accessible restrooms and ramps, Lawson said. “It’s bringing the building up to modern codes and making it convenient.”

Funding includes $100,000 committed over a multi-year period by the city of Youngstown.

Mayor John McNally thanked City Council for committing funding to the project. “My personal thanks as well to the Rotary Club of Youngstown for their fundraising efforts and to the many philanthropic and individual contributions to the pavilion improvements,” he added.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.