On a beautiful and sunny fall day, the big scissors were brought out and a shiny red ribbon was strung across two posts of the newly built community garden open-air pavilion. Mayor Di An Putnam and garden interim director Tanya Baxter cut the ribbon at the ceremony held on Friday afternoon which marked the grand opening of the structure.
After the ribbon cutting, handshakes and photographs, the small group of board members, the mayor, Nevada Outdoor School workers and garden plot-holders enjoyed a potluck dinner and presented Baxter with a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of her work with the pavilion.
Baxter, in an email, said, "The pavilion will provide a meeting space for outdoor education and workshops, gatherings, community events, meetings, and private rentals. The garden's board members and the pavilion donors hope the pavilion will be used by local school groups, organizations, and community groups to have their meetings, gatherings, and events."
Baxter said the garden is in the process of creating a policy for the rental of the pavilion, but those interested should call (775) 623-2333 or send an email to winngarden@yahoo.com.
The garden had raised about $17,000 for the construction of the pavilion. Baxter said the Nevada Department of Forestry cleared the ground and removed a pond. Hunewill Construction donated the fill for where the pond used to be, and Sonoma Construction donated the labor.
After the pavilion was completed in early August, said Baxter, Humboldt Lawn and Landscaping donated plants to rehabilitate the construction area, and the Rotary Club completed the planting and landscaping around the pavilion.
Community volunteers completed finishing touches, such as staining the wood, said Baxter.
Chelsea Borowski, the new garden director said in an email, "I am looking forward to seeing how the pavilion will be used to better fulfill the garden's vision statement (A place of beauty, sustenance, and gathering for Humboldt County residents). It's a beautiful place and I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I do."
The pavilion will see a lot of use during October. The garden will host Winnemucca second-graders at its annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 15, and the Seed Swap will be held on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. The Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services will be using the pavilion to hold a candlelight vigil on Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Baxter, Borowski and all the community garden members wanted to thank those who made the pavilion possible with their generous donations: Phillips Furniture; Little Red Construction; Lee Ann Morell; Koyote Kruisers; DeLong Construction; Winnemucca Farms; a UW Campaign donor; Dale and Arlene Lunen; Amanda and Matt Hoffer; Barrick Turquoise Ridge; and Newmont.
"It took the involvement of our whole community to complete this project, and on behalf of the garden's board, I'd like to thank every single dedicated community member, group and organization that contributed to the pavilion," said Baxter.
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