The Village of Mineola is soliciting public bids for construction related to a bandshell at Memorial Park. The plan is part of a park improvement project which includes reconstructing a gazebo that was damaged and taken down after Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The bandshell would be built on the south end of the park near the Mineola Memorial Library and 22 feet high at its peak. Lighting will be installed for security, according to officials. The village expects the cost to run about $100,000.
Numerous events are scheduled for the summer months. In recent years, Mineola has been renting a show-mobile from the Town of North Hempstead. Public Works Superintendent Tom Rini said since the gazebo was taken down, officials have been huddling to find ways to improve the park.
The village is planning to build a gazebo on the northeast corner of the park near the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Marcellus Road. Repairing park tennis courts is also planned, but are in beginning stages, according to Rini.
“A few years back, we did have to remove the gazebo and for the last few years we’ve been trying to come up with a way to make some improvements in the park,” Rini said.
While a temporary stage has been used for Mineola’s annual events like the village’s fireworks show, the summer concert series and other events, Rini said the proposed bandshell would be available for other uses.
“The mayor had the idea of putting up something that would be permanent and conduct those concerts, as well as any other activities in the park,” Rini stated.
The stage would need to be large enough to hold big band concerts like the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the park twice per year. However, Mayor Scott Strauss said he would like to see a stage that’s intimate in size that works for smaller productions.
“We’re not looking to make it overly big,” he said. “The Nassau Pops is a group that utilizes it, but if we have smaller groups, they could get lost in something large. This would fit the park really well.”
Michigan-based company Polygon designed a prefabricated bandshell for the village. Polygon did not return calls for comment.
“[Polygon] is already on the national contracts that we are approved to buy from,” said Rini said. “There will be bids that will have to go out for the concrete work, the site work and the lighting. We’re hoping by the end of the month that we should have most of that wrapped up.”
The stage itself would be raised four feet to combat any weather issues. Most of the walkways and light fixtures throughout Memorial Park will be replaced as part of the renovation project.
“We know we have some flooding issues that occur in heavy rains and the county [recharge] basin does overflow into the park,” Rini said. “Also, you want a stage that will be raised for performances. There are some [walkways] that can be eliminated. If it’s a park, there should be more grass. We’re looking to take away some of that, but also improve those walkways that do remain.”
The bandshell roof could consists of steel, shingles or other designs, according to Rini. The design stage is still in its infancy and may include different designs, rather than just one.
“It’s a very basic rendering right now,” said Rini. “All of those post supports can be done in stone or covered in stone. It’s an all steel-fabricated structure, but the roofing [can be different]. Those options have not been determined yet.”
