Council defers decision on future of Windsor's historic Jackson Park bandshell

The future of Jackson Park's bandshell was discussed at city council Monday, with a long list of speakers who want to see it saved and revitalized as a space for musicians and artists.

However, city staff say studying its future is too expensive. 

Councillors considered a report outlining the results of a procurement process undertaken by city staff earlier this year for a feasibility study of the bandshell.  

But a decision was deferred, after Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told councillors he had information to share with them in camera. 

After they emerged, a motion to defer the decision was approved. 

The deferral came after a long list of people addressed council on the issue, advocating for the bandshell's future. 

"It's really important for the council and mayor to understand that this space just doesn't represent the cultural history and the way it supports Windsor's Black community but also an opportunity for arts organizations, producers to use this space in future," Kristen Siapas said, president of CUPE Local 1393, told CBC before the council meeting.

"It's not just to honour what's past but to keep that legacy alive by keeping it vibrant and letting this space be of service to the arts community going forward."

Siapas said there "really is a lack of performance space" of the bandshell's size in the city. 

She said while there's a huge space downtown for live outdoor events at the riverfront, and smaller spaces scattered across the city, there's nothing like it.

'Doesn't need that much investment': local artist

The bandshell has been deteriorating for about 30 years and has been unused during that time. The current structure dates to 1959, after the previous bandshell — in Windsor since 1909 — burned down in a fire. 

In its heyday, the performance space was a central element of Windsor's Emancipation Day celebrations and battles of the bands.

It's played host to musical greats like Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross. 

"It's so disappointing to see the way this building has been kept but there's so much potential here," Siapas said. 

Council deliberated on whether the city should study its future. Any study would be limited to the heritage and technical attributes of the structure. 

Staff received one response to a request for proposals issued to do the feasibility study, and "after reviewing the submission and adding standard departmental project management fees along with a contingency, the proposed funding [of $120,000] to complete the feasibility study would not be adequate," staff wrote. 

"There is a significant financial risk associated with conducting the feasibility study," staff wrote. "If council directs administration to move forward with this study, during the course of the study, there may be findings that determine additional testing might be required (soil, environmental, etc.) at additional costs."

Staff recommend council cancel the request for proposals for the feasibility study. 

Also included in the report is a proposal for an Emancipation celebrations monument for the park, a project previously endorsed by two city committees. Funding for that would be about $50,000. 

In the past, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has said the bandshell cannot be restored facing the Windsor stadium because of a berm built between the two structures and the placement of the bandshell relative to the track field that is part of the stadium.

"I absolutely have enough information to know that bandshell in that location will not work," said Dilkens.

'An opportunity to get people engaged': Windsor Federation of Musicians

Rick LaBonte, vice president of Windsor Federation of Musicians Local 566, will be attending the council meeting in person arguing in favour of investing in it as a music performance venue. 

He said with the city losing many music establishments, this space can be the ideal spot for live music events, saying "if you build it, they will come." 

LaBonte said many people will benefit with another option for live music.

"This is an opportunity to get people engaged," he said. "It's so intimate, and a family friendly space."

LaBonte said he'd be supportive of either a restoration, or some less expensive upgrades that could improve the place. . 

"I am more about the idea than the place."

"A lot of people made some memories here and there's a whole generation that hasn't. We need to correct that."