ThisWeek UA 05/04/2011
The new Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park came to life the evening of April 26, as the Upper Arlington Community Foundation welcomed those whose donations made the facility possible.
“It’s exciting to be a part of preserving UA’s history. This will serve as a pillar to remind future generations of our community’s past,” said Erik Yassenoff, city council member.
Nearly 150 of the more than 250 donors attended the invitation-only event – the first of what the city and the community foundation hope to be many over the life of the facility.
“The timber framers who came from as far away as Oregon to resurrect this nearly 200-year-old structure have given us something new that has the potential of serving our community for another 200 years,” Parks and Recreation Director Tim Moloney said.
Last September, more than 25 volunteers from the Timber Framers Guild, along with volunteers from the Friends of Ohio Barns, restored the circa 1838 Legg barn and built the framing of the new section, which includes the event hall, a catering kitchen, restrooms and storage. Outside is an amphitheater and memorial garden.
The city has begun accepting reservations for private events at the facility, with a first available date of July 1.
Public events already scheduled for the facility begin with Spring Fling from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21, and include the Cultural Arts Division’s Music in the Parks summer concert series.
“We’re so grateful for the partnership with UA Arts, the Northwest Kiwanis and the community foundation that made it possible to have a permanent home for our concert series,” said Lynette Santoro-Au, cultural arts manager, at the April 26 ceremony.
Community foundation board member David Edwards Jr. chaired the barn construction committee and was able to recruit support from the construction community. All of the design work for the barn was done gratis, Edwards said, and much of the labor and material was provided at cost or for free.
“The project was done ahead of schedule and under budget. This just goes to show what can happen with good planning and communities coming together,” Edwards said. “Both the construction community and the community of Upper Arlington should be very proud of this project.”
City officials and community foundation members agreed that this project has been a triumph of community collaboration.
“Have you ever received a gift so big you can’t wrap your arms around it?” city manager Virginia Barney asked. “Not just the structure but the partnerships and working together. This is the greatest gift our community could have – the partnerships and collaboration made today happen.”
The barn will officially open to the public at the city’s Spring Fling event, where, at noon, the community foundation will hold a ceremony to turn over the keys to the barn to the city.
“It’s real, it’s here and you can enjoy it now,” said Sue Ralph, community foundation executive director.
The community foundation continues to collect donations for the final $125,000 to complete the funding of the barn project. Donations can be made directly at www.uacommunityfoundation.com.