CORNER BROOK — The mild winter weather has been an asset in the redevelopment of Margaret Bowater Park, but the city had planned for the project to near completion over the coming months.
Steve May, director of operational services, said the ground work throughout the park is now approximately 99 per cent finished. The primary effort now is going into the construction of the main building.
The relocated and redesigned bandstand is one of the most recognizable features of the park, complete with the oval section of interlocking brick. The ground then cascades into the hillside, providing an amphitheatre feel for audiences.
The remainder of the south side of the park has been developed with a network of trails and a lighting system. The waterfront area has been redone with pressure treated lumber and a retaining wall.
Also, the new parking lot on the upper portion of the south side has been finished, including curbs, drainage, pavement, landscaping and greenery.
May said the only ground work left is around the main building, which the construction crew began installing sheeting on the roof for Friday. To get to that point, obviously, the foundation, walls and roof were all installed, and a considerable amount of ground work was done to make up for the wet area the building was built on.
May said workers will continue on the interior of the building throughout the winter. He said the park will be completed in the spring with the exterior split face brick and installing outdoor, permanent furniture alongside the waterfront.
He said there is no official opening scheduled for the park, but said the south side will be accessible well before the park opens for the summer.
While he said the plan to ice an outdoor rink won’t be accommodated this winter, he said the park will be utilized for winter carnival events in February.
“I think it is going to be a totally different feel to the park, not only for the users but also the drivers passing by,” May said. “Driving by, you see the greenery on the slopes and, looking in, you have a totally different view of the park. It has a completely different feel, almost difficult to envision what the park was like before.
“I think it will be very well received by residents of Corner Brook.”
