Families in Oceola Township may soon have new pavilion to take advantage of in the park. The Board of Trustees held a discussion led by Trustee Sean Dunleavy at Thursday night’s regular meeting. Dunleavy, interested in constructing a pavilion near the soccer fields near the township hall, presented estimates and style designs to the Board. Dunleavy said he’s been around to see the pavilions constructed in Hartland Township and Genoa Township, along with acquiring drawing and pictures from one in St. Clair Shores. He said the St. Clair Shores structure is architecturally similar to the buildings and grounds in Oceola.

Dunleavy brought to the Board an estimate for a 60-by-40 structure by Mid States Recreation. An estimate for roughly $270,000 was provided, with $86,000 of that being for materials, and the rest for labor. Members of the Board were interested in looking around at a couple other options to possibly get a better price, particularly on the construction side of the project.

The majority of the Board felt that once the pavilion is built, it should be free for residents to use. It was mentioned that the City of Howell rents their pavilion, and this could still be a possibility in Oceola. Whether to allow its use as first-come, first-serve or to have a registration list is another detail the Board will have to decide upon. The Board was pleased overall with the direction the project is taking. Dunleavy said he will gather more information for the Board’s March meeting, and that ideally they can start construction this spring. (MK)