Contributed by Mike Feazel
The Lake Monticello Owners Association board unanimously approved a proposal to build a family pavilion at the Lake, to be financed and built by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, at its meeting Thursday (Aug. 22).
The open-air, covered pavilion could be used for such things as free family movie nights, family picnics and reunions, by swim teams and kid camps, for weddings, for free band concerts and many other things, according to officials from the LMOA board and the foundation.
“When we informally surveyed the community, this pavilion was clearly the most popular among the ideas that were practical for the foundation to carry out,” said Alan Stewart, president of the Lake Monticello Community Foundation. “This will be built at absolutely no cost to LMOA. But we are working closely with LMOA on the design and features of the pavilion, which we want to be pleasant to look at while also being highly useful to everyone at the Lake.”
The LMOA board officially approved the location of the pavilion, which had earlier been approved by the foundation board. The approximately 30- by 40-foot pavilion will be built on the open ground between the Ashlawn Clubhouse and the pool.
“We worked closely with LMOA officials to select the best site,” Stewart said. “After a series of meetings between the foundation and LMOA, and consultations with those likely to use it or be affected by it, we decided this is best for several reasons, including reasonable parking, easy access to Ashlawn and bathrooms, easy access to the pool, and land that is not currently slated for any use.”
“Thank you, Lake Monticello Community Foundation,” said LMOA President Larry Henson after the LMOA board vote. “This is a very nice gift. It will be great.” LMOA Vice President Gary Sellick called the foundation gift “a great thing.”
The design of the pavilion isn’t final, and all design decisions will be mutually approved by LMOA and the foundation. The general plan is for a wooden structure with an attractive roof line, sitting on a concrete slab. It would have an electrical system able to support a band performance and LED lighting.
LMOA would set the rules for usage of the pavilion.
The foundation is estimating a cost of less than $100,000 to build the pavilion, and said it already has about a third of that in hand. The rest will be raised through its various fundraising activities, such as a golf tournament, Talent Showcase, Festival of Trees and “Pay What You Want” yard sale, as well as by donations from generous residents. (Donations can be made at www.lakemonticellocommunityfoundation.org/donate.)
“We’re fairly confident we can raise the money to build the pavilion by next summer, and it should take only weeks to finish,” Stewart said. ”The Lake Monticello Community Foundation believes this new pavilion will be another spectacular gift that we – through the community’s participation and contributions – can make to the whole community.”
Approaching its fourth birthday, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, a 501©3 charitable organization completely independent from LMOA, has financed and completed the All-Inclusive Playground, paid for kayak launch ramps, given college scholarships, made large donations to a half dozen community service organizations throughout Fluvanna, provided free pool passes to the needy, and organized community events.
