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Council weighs pavilion design and rental rules for New Riverside Barn Park
Summary
Staff reported construction progress at New Riverside Barn Park and presented two pavilion designs and operational options for the barn and event lawn. Council favored an open, multipurpose pavilion, directed staff to keep operations under town control initially, and asked for fee comps, water access and draft rental policies for the next budget cycle.
Town staff updated the mayor and council on construction and operations planning for New Riverside Barn Park and solicited direction on pavilion design, staffing and facility rentals.
Pat Rooney, capital improvement manager, said Phase 1 infrastructure (roads, utilities) was contracted in 2021 and is substantially complete; a contract manager‑at‑risk is overseeing Phase 2 construction of the playground, restrooms and the barn. Rooney told the council staff plans to complete playground, restroom and parking work by the end of this calendar year, with a ribbon cutting shortly after Jan. 1; barn construction will continue through 2025.
Rooney presented two event pavilion concepts for the park’s large event lawn: a partially enclosed pavilion with built‑in storage and a fully open pavilion with larger cleared floor area. He described intended uses including weddings, family reunions and small music events and said the event lawn could accommodate a very large audience in some configurations.
Council members generally preferred the open, multipurpose pavilion (option 2) while asking staff to consider façade details to tie the structure to the barn’s aesthetic and to evaluate simple storage solutions for tables and chairs. One council member noted bands and large performers usually bring their own sound equipment, so building an oversized permanent stage likely would be unnecessary.
Wendy Simineau, special event manager and welcome center manager, reviewed operational questions: the town expects the barn to be a 2,700‑square‑foot venue with about 170‑person capacity, a catering kitchen and outdoor porch; staff suggested in‑house management would require at least one full‑time and two part‑time positions, while outsourcing could reduce day‑to‑day oversight but also limit direct town control and emergency responsiveness.
"If it's managed by an outsourced company, then they would actually be responsible for everything that takes place in the facilities," Simineau said, noting concerns about after‑hours responsiveness and maintenance reporting should a third party be used.
Council discussed reservation rules, recommending that smaller playground pavilions remain first‑come, first‑served while larger venues and festival/event lawns should be reservable with fees; nonprofit discounts were suggested. Simineau said the site includes a food truck area set up for five trucks with 30‑amp pedestals but that food trucks must be associated with a special event permit rather than appearing without an event permit. Several council members emphasized the need for potable water access (hose bibs or spigot) near pavilions for vendor and cleanup use.
Staff outlined next steps: draft facility rental policies, fee schedules and operating procedures for council review as part of the next budget cycle so the town can begin advertising rentals for FY26 (targeting July 1). Council asked staff to return with comps (comparable rental rates), draft policies and recommended fees.
Last, the meeting closed; staff will bring draft policies and budget figures back for adoption in the upcoming fee schedule and budget process.
