Bandshell Committee formed to ponder future of park amenity

Friday, March 3, 2017
A work crew from Joe Spiker Excavating, Greencastle, demolishes the 40-year-old Bob Flanigan Bandshell at Robe-Ann Park last month after it was discovered in poor condition. Attention now has turned to replacement of the structure.
Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

Now that the Bob Flanigan Bandshell at Robe-Ann Park has met its demise and been torn to pieces that all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could never put back together again, attention has turned to how, when and where to replace it.

Greencastle Park Director Rod Weinschenk has already started down that trail. He told the Park Board Thursday night that he met with the Friends of the Park group earlier that day and a Bandshell Committee has been formed under the Friends of the Park to help determine what happens next.

Civil Engineering Consultants of Greencastle has volunteered to do the engineering on a new bandshell, Weinschenk said. One of the firm’s partners, Jessica Hartman, chairs the Friends of the Park group.

It is hoped other donations can help defray the cost of a new bandshell, which was obviously not included in the 2017 City Park Department budget since the failing condition of the structure wasn’t even discovered until last month. The 40-year-old bandshell was then torn down Feb. 20 to prevent the possibility of an accident.

“I’ve been surprised at how many people have come forward and said they would like to help out,” Weinschenk said. “It would be nice to have that one big donor.”

That is precisely what happened in 1976 when the bandshell was built in time for the nation’s bicentennial celebration which included a day-long Fourth of July event at Robe-Ann Park. The bandshell was funded by a monetary gift from Greencastle pharmacist Chet Coan.

It was later named in honor of Greencastle native Bob Flanigan, one of the founding members of the legendary singing group The Four Freshmen. He died in 2011 at age 84.

When the bandshell is eventually replaced, it is expected to be larger and oriented more to the northwest rather than the due west location that often forces the audience to look into the sun during some programs.

It is also likely that the bandshell will be raised about four feet as well, keeping it out of the water that tends to pool in that low area of the park when it rains heavily.

“Right now we’re dreaming, just hoping to have something this year,” Weinschenk told the Park Board.

While Parkfest musical performances this summer might have to use Shelterhouse No. 1 on the top of the hill for their stage and have the audience be turned 180 degrees to watch, nothing is certain at this time.

Weinschenk said he is hopeful that a platform can be created for the musicians to stand upon during July 4 performances at the park.

By raising the bandshell and requiring steps to reach the stage, Weinschenk suggested that the area in front of the stage between sets of stairs could be used as a riser that could accommodate groups like the Covered Bridge Harmony Chorus.

“Will it be bigger?” ex-officio Park Board member Wayne Lewis asked.

“Ideally, yes,” Weinschenk said, “we’d like to have it bigger.”

The park director suggested the possibility of a storage room at the bandshell, not just for the bands but possibility to facilitate staging a play there.

“Again,” he added, “we’re dreaming for now.”

Regardless, Weinschenk has assured, “the Bob Flanigan Bandshell will be high priority.”

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