CONTACT:    Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

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NEWLY RENOVATED BAND SHELL

CELEBRATION PLANNED

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Frederick, MD -- A dedication, celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Baker Park Band Shell expansion and recreation is scheduled for Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM just prior to the final concert of the Summer Concert Series.   This ceremony will culminate more than two years of dedicated work by the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek. Selected as an RCCC major community service project, the Band Shell had suffered from years of wear and abuse as well as City budget restrictions which never allowed for the original plan to be fully implemented. The architect of the replacement Band Shell in 1990, Gary Baker, volunteered to update his original design for this project. Under the supervision of Chris Judd, Rotary Club of Carroll Creek project manager for the Band Shell project, and Committee Chairman, Dave Weaver, the work is now virtually complete.  Included in the renovations and additions are two new wings which provide changing rooms and restrooms for performers, extension of the stage, added theatrical lighting, the addition of a new sound and lighting control platform, a new audio public address system, and the extension of the grassy area seating. And check-out the new color scheme thanks to advice from our Frederick theatrical community.

The new wings are built with the same stone that is on the Carillon and the Carroll Creek Structures and features a Comedy mask sculpture on the left and the Tragedy mask on the right. These sculptures were donated by the Frederick sculpture artist Gavin T Gardner.  If you look around the sides of the new wings you will discover the etched art glass designs of Yemi, a Frederick artist who has created scenes of Baker Park, Frederick City and County themes. And in center stage you will observe the Ron Layman Faux School community project of creating a backdrop of a decorative stone wall that mimics the stone of the Park.

 Roelkey Myers, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation stated, "Even though the project is not yet complete, we have received many compliments on how great the improvements are to the Band Shell and surrounding area.  It is a great example of government and service clubs working together to make huge improvements for the community." Chris Judd was proud to acknowledge that:   "The Rotary Club of Carroll Creek raised approximately $300,000 towards the project.  The City of Frederick contributed $85,000 in cash in addition to the many in-kind services provided by The City of Frederick Parks Division and many private sector contractors. The total value of this project is well in excess of $500,000.  The Band Shell renovation and expansion is just one example of how the public/private sector cooperation concept can work to benefit the overall community.  It took vision and commitment by both parties to leverage this public need into real action.  And the result is Great for Frederick". 

For additional information, please contact Roelkey Myers, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation at 301.600.1902.