October 30,2020 10:35 a.m.

Contractors for the City of Roseburg are set to begin several improvements at the Stewart Park Pavilion on Monday.

A City release said the pavilion was built in 1970 and served the community well for the past fifty years. However, it is showing its age and last year Parks and Recreation staff began researching funding options to make needed improvements to the structure. Last summer, staff applied for an Oregon Parks and Recreation grant to help subsidize the cost of the upgrades.

The release said the City was awarded the grant last fall and staff began planning and design work for the project. In August of this year, the project went out to bid. In September, the Roseburg City Council approved a bid by a contractor to do the work.

Improvements to the pavilion include construction of a brand-new metal roof, along with the installation of skylights, new trusses, roof purlins and sheeting. In addition, the existing stone fireplaces will be removed.

Parks and Recreation Manager Kris Ammerman said the new metal roof will be much lighter than the previous one. He said the new roof will be much more economical and last longer than the previous one.

The release said new skylights will brighten the interior of the facility and there will be new LED lighting as well.

The pavilion will be closed to the public once work gets underway.