Barely a year since Barry’s Bay lost the pergola over its main street pocket park, the community has collaborated to erect a replacement. Thanks to the combined efforts of some dedicated individuals, the Barry’s Bay Business Improvement Area (BIA), Communities in Bloom – Madawaska Valley (CiB), and Barry’s Bay Home Hardware Building Centre, shoppers now have a seating area to relax along the Opeongo Line. Above standing: Boniface Pecarski (left), Derek Yuill, Jacob Yandernoll (absent Kory Pecarski); seated: Debbie Marshall, Victoria Verch
BIA Chairman Derek Yuill explained that replacing the pergola between Talk O’ The Town and V&S Stedman’s stores became a regular topic in many BIA meetings. BIA board member Debbie Marshall tackled the leg work and Barry’s Bay Home Hardware graciously donated the pergola with the understanding that the BIA would build it. The project came to a standstill when contractors arranged for the task fell through. Yuill said,
Knowing that this is a beautiful space in the centre of town that many people use whether to read, reflect or just rest, three employees from Yuill’s Valu-mart stepped up and agreed to volunteer their skills and time to build the pergola which is now already being enjoyed by many people. On behalf of the BIA, CIB and all that now enjoy it, thank-you.
He said the three employees, Boniface Pecarski, Jacob Yandernoll and Kory Pecarski, offered to help the BIA with the project because of their community spirit. Long-time Valu-mart employee Boniface Pecarski told The Current that the hardest part of building the structure was getting started. He spent an evening studying the instructions at home. Yandernoll, who completed a woodworking course at Conestoga College and has worked part-time for Valu-mart for six years, said they began work on-site but moved everything to the store premises when it became apparent they would not finish in one day. With the corners assembled, they moved the structure back to the parkette location. They were determined to finish despite 30 degree temperatures on the final day. In total they estimated the job took the three men about 20 hours.
Marshall said Home Hardware has been very supportive. Not only have they donated the space and the previous pergola, their Garden Centre consults with CiB to ensure they stock the appropriately colour-themed flowers each year; e.g. they provided special tulip bulbs for Canada 150. Marshall said that CiB has nominated Home Hardware as the national CiB Retailer of the year because of their generosity and support.
On behalf of Mark Zurakowski and Kevin Bray of Home Hardware, MAD Outdoors co-manager Victoria Verch said the pergola kit was valued at $2,000 + HST. She said the shade and additional seating area gave focus to the downtown and was often used as a meeting place.
Val Manion (left) and Ted Williamson inspect damage to the previous pergola in June 2018 (photo Mark Woermke)
A prime location has been revived!! Congratulations to all involved!
Thank you to all those involved with the completion of this task. What a perfect example of cooperation combined with volunteers sharing their talents and businesses going that extra mile.