A £325,000 PAVILION in an historic Worcester park has opened its doors to city residents who want to enjoy the great outdoors during the summer heatwave.
The new Sons of Rest pavilion was opened formally by Mayor of Worcester Coun Jabba Riaz on Thursday and offers an ice cream and snack kiosk and new toilets close to Gheluvelt Park’s popular Splashpad.
City council chiefs have invested the cash to replace the old building which had reached the end of its natural life.
The work was carried out over the first half of the year by West Midlands contractor Abbey and Lyndon.
The new pavilion has a bookable community room with an adjoining kitchen; five individual unisex toilets, including a disabled toilet and baby-changing facilities.
Coun Riaz said: “I’d like to thank the Friends of Gheluvelt Park, who were the original driving force behind this project.”
“The new pavilion we’re unveiling has been guided by their vision, in partnership with the City Council, the Sons of Rest, the Worcester Regiment and the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust. I hope generations to come will enjoy and make the most of these fantastic new park facilities.”
The Worcestershire Duckworth Trust is operating the new pavilion’s kiosk, which will sell ice creams, teas, coffees, cold drinks including milk shakes, plus hot and cold snacks including sandwiches, crisps and cakes. It has a no single-use plastics policy and will also cater for gluten-free diets and vegans.
During the summer months the kiosk will be open from 9am to 5pm and from 9am to 4pm in the winter.
The original Sons of Rest sign and plaque are now proudly hung at the entrance to the new community room in this new building. The timbers from the original Sons of Rest building were sold by the Worcester Resource Exchange and Abbey and Lyndon, earlier in the year.
A time capsule will also be buried at a mystery location in the park. The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association have donated two regimental greatcoat buttons and a copy of the order of service for the Battle of Gheluvelt’s centenary commemoration.
The Gheluvelt Park Sons of Rest group have donated a photo of themselves and a domino and playing card, representing the pastimes they enjoy.
Coun Riaz, the Friends of Gheluvelt Park and the Gheluvelt Park Healthy Walking group are also among those to have contributed items.
