The Kempton Lions Club recently hosted a dedication of a newly erected steel pavilion at Leaser Lake in Lehigh County in October.
In 2013, anticipating completion of dam repairs at the site, the Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation was involved in developing a Recreation Master Plan for the site on the western edge of Leaser Lake. The plan called for accessible recreation features, including a pavilion.
With Kempton Lions support, an accessible kayak launch and fishing pier were completed in 2015.
In 2018 the Lions volunteered to develop and raise funds for an accessible pavilion to complement the kayak launch and fishing pier.
The club initiated an annual 5K Trail Race/Kids Fun Run at Leaser Lake as a fundraising tool for the project.
A nationwide search for pavilion manufacturers brought the club back to local sources as the best options and best pricing, with Ultra Modum Industries contracted to build the pavilion, the first such project for the company. Kempton Excavating completed the excavating work and coordinated the concrete base and blacktop apron, again with local sources.
“Having made a commitment to accessibility to park facilities in the past by sponsoring the adaptive kayak and canoe launch and accessible fishing pier at this same lake location, this was a natural next step for the Kempton Lions Club to provide protection from the weather for those people with disabilities who wish to visit, as well as the general public, as all are welcome to use the new pavilion,” the Kempton Lions Club stated in the announcement.
The club noted that there is no other pavilion at the lake location.
The pavilion is designed to be fully accessible.
“Lions had already provided accessible picnic tables on site which will now be housed in the new pavilion. Now, those tables and any visitors are protected from the weather and the pavilion will be available for reservation by anyone who wishes to visit through a pending online reservation system of Lehigh County Parks,” the club stated.
The Lehigh County Department of Parks and Recreation has been involved since the inception regarding overall approval of the project, covering all the necessary permits and regulations and weighing in on issues of importance to them.
“The Lions Club has now received final inspection approval from the township engineer!” organization officials announced.
The dedication ceremony was held on Oct. 20 with about 50 people in attendance.
Kempton Lions President Mark Wyncoll opened the dedication with some background on the project.
Lion Frank Lyter served as project manager and described the construction and planning that was involved. Each significant Lions funding organization was recognized and had podium time. Other local contributors were also recognized.
“The message to the community was descriptive of the depth of the support Lions can provide across our community,” stated the club in the announcement.
Just prior to the ribbon cutting, a trumpet fanfare was offered by Kempton Lions member Curtis McQueen. Wyncoll did the ribbon cutting honors.
In addition to funds raised directly by the Kempton Lions, significant Lions based funding was also provided by Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation, Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation, Lions – Follweiler Northwestern Community Foundation and the West Lehigh Area Lions Club. Other major donors included Albright’s Mill, BoardSafe, Boyesen, East Penn Manufacturing, Kempton Excavating and Ultra Modum Industries.
Source: Berkshire mont