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About the Band Shell |
This wonderful facility was an outgrowth
of the Hollidaysburg Community Band's
strategic planning efforts. The band
identified a need for a band shell that they
could play in during the summer months. In
discussing this concept with area community
groups, it was discovered that the
Hollidaysburg Rotary Club was interested in
building a stage at the Canal Basin Park. A
contact was made with Hollidaysburg Borough,
who told the group that the borough had a
grant from the PA Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources, which it could not
use because it required a matching grant.
Armed with this information, a committee was
formed in the summer of 2004 to determine
local interest and ability to raise the
matching monies. The committee consisted of
members of the Borough Council, the
Hollidaysburg Community Band, the
Hollidaysburg Alumni Chorus, the
Hollidaysburg Rotary, the Hollidaysburg Art
League, area businesses and interested
community residents. The committee put
together a plan, approached the Borough
Council, and was given approval to proceed.
The committee felt the purpose of the
proposed pavilion was to:
· enhance the artists' ability to perform for
area audiences
· enhance the Canal Basin Park and attract
additional visitors to the area
· provide the people in the local area with an
opportunity to be exposed to a variety of
performing arts programs
· provide an atmosphere that would attract
larger audiences
· provide a venue that would attract
performers from a wide spectrum of ages and
abilities
The committee worked on the project with
local engineers, architects, landscape
architects, finance institutions and
community leaders to design the pavilion and
the grounds. A pre-cut cedar pavilion was
decided upon and a natural turf amphitheater
was designed. Estimated costs were received
and the committee began the task of raising
the necessary monies.
Local area foundations, banking
institutions, businesses, civic groups, and
individuals donated generously to the
project, and by the winter of 2006, the
money was raised. Construction began in the
spring of 2006 and was finished before
winter. The dedication of the pavilion was
held in May of 2007 and featured speeches by
local officials, a ribbon cutting, and a
special concert by the Hollidaysburg Alumni
& Community Band with participation by the
Alumni Chorus.
The Hollidaysburg Community Band now has a
home and a wonderful venue for its summer
concerts. Special thanks go out to the many
donors, who generously made this happen, to
the Hollidaysburg Borough Council who
believed in and supported the committee, and
to the Hollidaysburg Rotary, who changed
their idea of a stage to partner with the
committee and build a pavilion that would
serve the community for years to come.
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Directions to Canal
Basin Park |
From Route
22, turn onto Newry Street into Gaysport. At
the first intersection, turn LEFT onto
Bedford Street. Parking for Canal Basin Park
will be on your LEFT. After parking, walk
across the pedestrian bridge toward the
Reiser House Visitors Center. The band shell
will be to your left.
Click Here for an on-line map to the
Hollidaysburg Canal Basin Park.
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Concerts at the Band
Shell |
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Our
audience for Band Shell concerts is "on the
lawn." Please plan to bring lawn chairs or
blankets for seating. Seating on the lawn is
first come, first served, so reserve your
spot early!
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Other Things to do at
Canal Basin |
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addition to the Anne Sloan Borland
Performing Arts Pavilion and the Sylvia
Schraff Amphitheater, Canal Basin Park is
home to walking/bicycle trails, a visitor's
center, and playground. For more
information, please visit the
Hollidaysburg
Borough Website. |
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