WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — During this time of year, you can usually find community events going on at the bandshell in Brandon Park in Williamsport. But these days, instead of people sitting in the crowd enjoying a show, fencing is wrapped around the stage. The bandshell is currently getting some much-needed renovations and upgrades.
"Focusing on ADA requirements so there will be a lift inside the band hell, brand new bathrooms, all ADA-compliant. The front of the stage is being reconstructed. It will be painted, and there's a new ventilation system," said Valerie Fessler, Williamsport's grants administrator.
Work started last month. The bandshell has been part of the Williamsport community since 1914.
"There's a summer concert series, and moving forward, we're actually hoping to do movies in the park, so we're excited to get the community back into the park," Fessler said.
Funding for the upgrades came from the First Community Foundation Partnership, Lycoming County, and Williamsport's community development funding. The total cost for the project is around $567,000.
"When we host events out here such as Juneteenth, Homemade Days, concerts in the park, we definitely are looking forward to them being bigger and better and just being able to be enjoyed by more people," said Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter.
Mayor Slaughter says the city plans to continue to invest in parks and recreational spaces.
"As you drive around the city, you can almost go in any park now, and it's there's just people everywhere enjoying it, whether it's a Tuesday afternoon or weekend, people are really out enjoying our recreational spaces," said the mayor.
City officials hope to have the upgrades and renovations to the bandshell at Brandon Park completed by the end of the summer.