No. Castle to Rebuild Gazebo; Temporary Stage Obtained for Concert Series
The Town of North Castle will completely rebuild the Wampus Brook Park gazebo in Armonk nearly identically to the one that had stood for 47 years before its roof collapsed last month.
Town officials said Wednesday that the only changes to the new structure would be the addition of a sound system, improved lighting and for the electricity to be upgraded. The gazebo had been used for summer concerts in the park, the town’s Frosty Day to kick off the holiday season and the Donut and Cider Festival in September, among other events.
Town Administrator Joan Goldberg said a group will soon be formed to oversee the work. It will consist of herself, Recreation Supervisor Matt Trainor, a town board member, a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Conservation Board Chairman John Fava and possibly a representative of the Architectural Review Board and the town engineer.
“Their goal is to put the gazebo back exactly the way it was with a few modifications,” said Town Administrator Joan Goldberg. “We’d like to put in a sound system. We’d like to upgrade the lighting so that the performances there are better served by the gazebo.”
It was discovered that the original structure could not be repaired after an inspection revealed too much damage was caused by the June 25 roof collapse. Originally, the gazebo was to be repaired because its floor was unstable. Then the contractor retained to do the work discovered that the structural supports were in poor condition.
Although it will have to be replaced, the town received good news when it was told that its insurance carrier, the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR), would pick up nearly the entire cost of the rebuild, Goldberg said. It is estimated that the project will cost between $125,000 and $150,000, she said, with the town responsible only for the $5,000 deductible.
It is anticipated that rebuilding the gazebo will take about a month, Goldberg said, although the town would have to issue a building permit to do the work. A wetlands permit will also likely have to be obtained because it’s in a state wetlands, she said. No other approvals are needed. It is hoped that the work could be completed in the fall.
Insurance coverage also will pay for the temporary stage so The Small Town Theatre Company will be able to hold its scheduled concert series that begins Saturday night at Wampus Brook Park at 8 p.m. Goldberg said an agreement has been worked out with the Town of Greenburgh to bring in its “showmobile” for each of the four concerts that continue every other Saturday evening. The stage will cost about $1,000 for each concert.
Also helping the town was that the plans for the classic-style late 19th century gazebo were uncovered, which will assist the architect recreate the original.
“We have it, we know what it looks like,” said North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro.
Armonk resident Ed Woodyard, a Frosty Day organizer who helped to locate the original gazebo’s plans, said he was pleased that the park will get its gazebo back.
“This was a community coming together to do something absolutely great and monumental for the community,” Woodyard said. “This happened 47 years ago, it’ll happen again this time. I’m really glad to see that.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
