‘A focal point of the community’

Village officials on Monday toured the project site of the more than 5,000-square-foot pavilion at Grafton’s Veterans Memorial Park along the Milwaukee River.

Village President Dan Delorit said the pavilion, a “four-season” event venue with indoor seating space for almost 100 people and patio space for about 70,  is a testament to the village’s collaboration with community groups and local businesses.

“This is proof positive that the Village of Grafton listens to its citizens,” Delorit said, noting village officials met with groups like the Grafton Lions Club, the Grafton High School Athletic Boosters Club and the Grafton Chamber of Commerce to develop plans for the building.

One design element specifically requested by the groups was of a kitchen and a food service counter that opens outside for events such as the annual Concert in the Park series, Village Administrator Jesse Thyes said.

Delorit said the pavilion’s location is ideal, being along Highway 60 in “the heart of Grafton” with a clear view of the river.

The new pavilion will be similar to, but larger than, the Zaun Pavilion in Lime Kiln Park, which has become one of Grafton’s most popular event venues. In February, Parks and Recreation Director Chad Hoier said he expected the new pavilion to be just as popular, especially given the setting on the river.

“It will become a focal point in the community. It will be special,” he said.

The more than $1.4 million project was funded by a combination of village, business and community contributions, including $200,000 from Exacto Spring, $400,000 from the Grafton Chamber of Commerce and $25,000 from Port Washington State Bank.

The village allocated $400,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to the project. In total, about $1 million has been secured for funding the project.

Thyes said the Grafton Friends Group, (which supports the Parks and Recreation Department,) will start community fundraising for smaller donations from individuals.

To expedite construction, the village borrowed the necessary funds to construct the pavilion, Thyes said, which are being “off set” by the money raised.

Village officials said the pavilion will be available to rent for events like weddings, family reunions and baby showers.

The new pavilion will have a pair of ADA accessible bathrooms open to the public, storage rooms and a mechanical room.

The previous pavilion was built in 1982 with support from the Grafton Lions Club, Hoier said, but by 2022 it was “beyond its useful life.”

Construction is expected to be finished in December and the pavilion opened in February, village officials said.