Ark Valley News - Trashed and treasured

Renovation of the Lions Park gazebo includes the replacement of the deck and support posts. The project will cost about $8,000. The gazebo was constructed in 1986 for about $9,000.

Trashed and treasured
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: January 12, 2017

The gazebo in Lions Park — a Valley Center icon both treasured and mistreated — is getting a facelift.

The 30-year-old gazebo's entire deck is being replaced as are its posts and a few other worn-out parts.

Neal Owings, director of the city's parks department, said staff noticed some sagging at one of the corners of the gazebo's roof line, which was caused by rot on one of the posts.

The renovation will include concrete bases for the posts to prevent future rotting.

Cost of the project is about $8,000.

The work is being done by Professional Remodeling and Construction Services LLC.

The storied Lions Park gazebo has survived more than rot over the years.

It was built in 1986, the brainchild of the Valley Center Lions Club. Spearheaded by Orlie Loewen, the club's former president, the gazebo cost about $9,000 to build. A structure of the same size today would be more like $30,000 or $40,000, Owings said.

Though it was designed and built by Tom Kraus of rural Valley Center, several members of the Lions Club helped with the construction.

The Lions Club dedicated the gazebo to Loewen with a permanent plaque and podium in 2003, two years after he died.

The gazebo has been a target of heavy vandalism and even arson over the years.

In 1990, unidentified vandals tried to burn the structure in two separate incidents.

It was tagged with graffiti in 2012, and part of the railing and several posts were damaged or removed in strings of vandalism in 2011 and 2007.

A 15-year-old Wichita boy was actually arrested for damaging the gazebo in 2004.

Over the years, police officers had to shoo away more than a few enthusiastic skateboarders and young cigarette smokers.

But the gazebo has been the site of many friendlier affairs through the years as well.

It served as a concession stand for several "movie in the park" events, a picnic area for family reunions, a stage for concerts and even an altar for weddings two or three times a year, Owings said.

"It's definitely an icon in the community," he said.