VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Officials with Duke Energy have announced a donation to Vincennes Parks and Recreation to help restore the Gregg Park bandshell.
“We are proud and excited to partner with the Vincennes Parks and Recreation Department to help preserve and restore the bandshell at Gregg Park,” said Stan Pinegar, President of Duke Energy Indiana. “Our hope is that the restoration of this historic treasure will be a point of pride for this community as we work to preserve it for future generations.”
Duke donated a total of $20,000 toward the project. The bandshell was originally built in 1938 by the federal Works Progress Administration and the city of Vincennes and is recognized on the National Parks Service Historic Places registry.
Due to the structures long history the renovations will include a full engineering assessment completed by a specially qualified restoration contractor.
“We are extremely grateful to Duke Energy for their generous donation to the very important improvement project of our 1938 Works Progress Administration bandshell, which will help to jump-start the city’s overall goal to restore the bandshell to its original grandeur,” said Joe Yochum, Mayor of Vincennes. “This gesture proves Duke Energy is a committed community partner of the city of Vincennes and its residents.”
Some of the damaged concrete will need to be repaired while other sections will need replaced. The funds will reportedly be used to clean, and repair the bandshell as well as modernize the electrical system and lighting that surrounds the structure.
“We’re grateful for the generosity of Duke Energy, which will enable us to undertake this work to preserve the cultural history and heritage of the site,” said Chris Moore, Superintendent of the Vincennes Parks and Recreation Department. “By restoring the bandshell, we hope to not only honor its history and its structural and architectural features, but also allow it to become a more prominent and attractive site for special gatherings for the people of Vincennes and the surrounding areas.”
