ABOVE: Contractors are currently making improvements to the Sylvania Park Bandshell. Work includes painting, door and window replacement and stucco work. Photo by Vanessa Schultze.

FAIRMONT– Ahead of its 100th year in 2026, the Sylvania Park Bandshell in Fairmont is continuing to get a facelift. While roof work was done two summers ago, work is now being done on the interior and exterior of the historic structure.

Public Works Director, Matthew York, said, “they’re redoing the stucco on the exterior of the building and a lot of the wood work is being redone because it was rotten.”

He said new doors and windows are being installed and the floors are being sanded and painted. The inside of the bandshell is also being painted, which was perhaps one of the most visible areas that showed the structure needed some improvements.

The roof work for phase one of the project was done in 2023 for $106,000. For phase two of the project, York said the council approved the contract with Brennan Companies earlier this year at the April 28 meeting for $250,000.

Both the Fairmont Park Board and Fairmont City Council have been talking about the need to spruce up the bandshell for the past few years.

“The bandshell is 100 years old next year,” York explained. “It’s taking pride in our parks and park infrastructure and restoring it to more of a classic look instead of redoing it. We’re paying homage to the architecture of the time which is incredible.”

In fact, York said that the lantern-style, antique lights at the park were also painted this summer.

He acknowledged that the bandshell is used for a variety of reasons. It is home to the city band concerts, which have been taking place there for the bandshell’s entire existence. It is also used for weddings, other concerts and church services on occasion.

“Sylvania is a neat park to start with. You’re up on a little bluff and have a view of the lake. It’s very peaceful and quiet,” York said.

He explained that work began in late summer not only because it worked with the contractor but also because they didn’t want to disturb the city band’s concert schedule.

“We wanted to work around activities,” York said.

After this work, the city’s projects at the Sylvania Park Bandshell will be done for the most part.