VENTNOR – The city held a groundbreaking Friday afternoon for the new bandshell at the Newport Avenue beachfront park that will replace the aged gazebo that once stood there. But it would not have been possible without the support of community volunteers who pledged their financial support in a big way.
The project has been on the drawing board for more than 24 months. The city scaled back the original bandshell design prepared by William McLees Architecture of Somers Point to make it more affordable for taxpayers.
First-round bid offerings came in as high as $747,000, which was more than the city was prepared to spend on the project. Following two subsequent rounds of bidding and redesigns that lowered the cost, the city awarded a $233,000 contract Jan. 9 for Massett Building Company of Egg Harbor Township to build the stage where musicians perform for the Summer Beach Jam concert series.
“For concerts you don’t sell tickets for, it’s hard to make that up,” Mayor Tim Kriebel said when the contract was finally awarded.
On Friday, he said the community-supported project is a way to “make the town a little better for each other” but it would not have been possible without the “generous pledge” of the Ventnor Beautification Committee led by resident Shelley D’Orazio.
The new design was simplified but will still serve its purpose, have a unique shape and make a statement. The design will mesh with two of McLees’ previous designs for the Beach Patrol Headquarters and the Concession Stand on the Ventnor Pier. Plantings and accessories can be added later, Kriebel said. The city is hoping to get the bandshell completed in time for the first concert on June 28.
PROVIDED/Ventnor Beautification Chairwoman Shelley D'Orazio and her spouse, Peter D'Orazio at the bandshell groundbreaking.The Beautification Committee has been holding fundraisers for the last 12 years, except for the years of Hurricane Sandy and COVID pandemic, to raise money to beautify the city. Past projects included banners, benches and trash and recycling containers distributed throughout the city.
During the groundbreaking, D’Orazio pledged $100,000 for the project, with most of the funding coming from the proceeds of the group’s annual Chef’s Night Out event. The next event will be held May 18. Tickets go on sale April 1 and are expected to sell out quickly.
Kriebel said the group is successful because D’Orazio runs the volunteer organization like a business.
“This is a big deal,” D’Orazio said about making a $100,000 contribution toward the city. “Everyone involved helped to make this happen, including our volunteers who sold tickets for the event, the hosts and musicians who volunteer their time, and all the people who bought tickets to Chef’s Night Out.”
D'Orazio gave special recognition to the restaurants, pizza parlors, bakeries, liquor stores and their staffs who provide the food and drinks at no cost to the committee.
Beautification Committee volunteer Rose Hamilton said the group works “tirelessly” to make their programs successful, but they wouldn’t be possible without the support of the community.
Commissioner Lance Landgraf said the bandshell will make the “best concert series in the county” even better.
“This beach is filled with people enjoying the free concerts every Saturday night,” he said. Landgraf is often there with his wife Kathy and their pup, Boomer.
“It took awhile to get the design right because it was a little bit expensive,” he said.
Commissioner Maria Mento thanked the Beautification Committee stating, “We couldn’t do it without you.”
She also commended the Ventnor Special Events team that organizes community events throughout the year.
Adding free community events and improving public property are some of the ways the city has worked to create economic development opportunities and attract visitors to come to the town for their holiday vacations.
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