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Parkersburg’s new City Park pavilion to open Monday

By Evan Bevins 2 min read

PARKERSBURG - Almost two years to the day after demolition began on the old City Park pavilion, the city will officially open the doors on its larger replacement Monday.

A ribbon-cutting for the nearly $15 million Simms Powell Pavilion is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, followed by an open house until 6:30.

Parkersburg City Council voted last month to name the approximately 46,000-square-foot facility after Powell, a councilman who championed the 1896 purchase of the land that became the park. This week, they unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance setting rates for the building, with some officials saying those could be revisited in the future once more data was obtained on the facility's usage.

The new pavilion - which has drawn some criticism for its larger size - features an arena, gymnasium, community meeting room and kitchen, along with office space for the Wood County Recreation Commission and a police substation. It will support recreation, events and community gatherings, according to a release from the city.

The building was funded primarily with a $15 million bond issue that also provided money for construction of a new fire station off of Seventh Street, with some pavilion funding covered by prior appropriations.

City Finance Director Eric Jiles noted the bonds will be repaid with interest from the city's investment portfolio.

"The city did not have to raise revenue on residents," he said.

The ribbon-cutting and open house event are free and open to the public.

In addition, an indoor trunk or treat is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the pavilion.

Families can walk through the pavilion and collect treats from decorated vehicles inside at the event, which is also free. No registration is needed for the public to attend, and costumes are encouraged.

The city is still accepting businesses, organizations and community members interested in decorating a vehicle and distributing treats. Participation is free, and each vehicle should bring 1,000 to 1,200 individually wrapped, store-bought treats.

Registration and participant information is available by contacting Events and Marketing Coordinator Jaliyah Townsend at jaliyah.townsend@parkersburgwv.gov or visiting the city's Facebook page.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

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