BOARDMAN Pavilion provides more park use

The pavilion is named in honor of a former board member.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Township park officials say residents will be able to enjoy a bit more recreational space with the addition of an open-air pavilion in the park's west quadrant.
The new Thomas C. Masters Pavilion, built as part of an overall improvement project to the west quadrant, is now the park's largest open-air pavilion with seating for up to 150 people. The pavilion also has attached restrooms.
The park has four other open-air pavilions -- two with seating for up to 100 people and two with seating for up to 50 people. None have restrooms attached.
Dan Slagle, park executive director, said the pavilion is needed to address the growing needs of those in the Boardman community who use the park. He said thousands of people were being turned away annually because of the lack of rentable facilities.
"That is why the board decided to undertake this project," he said. "One of the reasons we went with the larger pavilion is because there were large groups that would rent the 100-seat pavilion and still need to bring in tables and chairs."
Park improvements
Slagle said the pavilion cost $171,000. The attached restrooms added to the price, he said, but the restroom facilities were needed because there were no restroom facilities in the west quadrant. The India Association of Greater Youngstown has donated $10,000 to help with the pavilion's cost.
The pavilion was named in honor of Thomas C. Masters, a 20-year park board member. Masters was instrumental in having the St. James Meeting House moved to its current park site. Many other park improvements took place during his tenure including construction of Kids' Town Playground, Beard Family Cabin, Maag Outdoor Arts Theater and several pavilions.
Slagle said several other improvements are under way in the west quadrant, including installation of two boccie courts, a new playground and a 300-car paved parking lot. He said the entire west quadrant project could be completed by sometime next summer. Total cost of the improvements is estimated at $400,000, Slagle added.
jgoodwin@vindy.com