Ironworkers lend hand to build Parkland pavilion

By ROBERT CONNELLY

rconnelly@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Members of Ironworkers Local 207 were lining up one of the iron beams for a new pavilion at the township’s lone park.

Three men worked in unison, one operating the lift of the beam while men on each side of it, standing on their own ladders, guided it in and made sure it was snug in place.

“It’s gratifying, helping out the local communities,” said Tony Deley, Local 207 president. “That’s what we’re all about – local helping local.”

He and two other men were working instead of apprentices because the apprentices were on other jobs, such as bridge projects in Sharon, Pa.

“After the 2008 dilemma with the economy, everybody’s is just now getting back on track here,” Deley said.

He had a smile on his face during the work Wednesday at the park, since clouds had come out versus Tuesday’s sweltering heat.

There are 53 apprentices in the Ironworkers four-year program, all at varying levels of the program. Those apprentices get class credit for job work, such as the pavilion project.

Canfield Township Administrator and Road Superintendent Keith Rogers got the idea to reach out to the ironworkers from a friend who is in the industrial field. The union’s help saved the township more than $10,000 on the new pavilion, at Parkland, 7419 Herbert Road.

Hively Construction Co., based on Western Reserve Road in Canfield, donated material for the pavilion.

Two grants will assist the township in covering the project cost of just under $42,000, Rogers said. The grants are being offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Land and Water Conservation.

Earlier this summer, Canfield trustees approved hiring W.L. Colbrunn Excavating of Canfield for the drainage work at a cost of $4,000; Foust Construction Inc. of Youngstown for the sidewalks and concrete pad under the pavilion, at a cost of $6,333; and Gabriel’s Fence, to install 250 feet of donated fence, at a cost of $1,350.

The park features athletic fields, a pavilion with bathrooms, a playground and a basketball court. A new sidewalk will tie into the existing sidewalk around the playground to the pavilion. The open air pavilion will be about 13 feet high and have four picnic tables in the 24-feet-by-26-feet space.

The sidewalks and one of the two charcoal barbecue pits to be installed will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Overall, Rogers expects the work to be finished by October. “That’s my goal. That way people can enjoy it in the fall when it’s still nice out for picnics,” he said.