Damage forces bandstand roof's removal

SANDPOINT — The years have not been kind to the bandstand roof at Farmin Park, forcing its removal early this week when city officials determined the structure was unsafe.

Built in 1983 as a memorial to Sandpoint’s Will and Helen Hawkins — with funds donated by the Hawkins family — the bandstand has been a gathering spot and focal point for both Farmin Park and the city in general, said Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff.

Although restoring the building was an option, dry rot and accumulated damages from years of severe weather were significant enough that any repairs would have been a temporary solution, said Woodruff.

Instead, the bandstand will remain uncovered this summer and a replacement will be built and in place by next spring.

Upcoming events at the park will continue as planned, including concerts and the bi-weekly Farmers Market at Sandpoint, which begins Saturday.

Woodruff recently met with Collin Beggs, who specializes in high-end timber frame structures, and the two are in the early stages of planning a new bandstand that both Beggs and Woodruff said will be a vast improvement on the previous building.

“We have the opportunity to upgrade the facilities and make lemonade out of lemons,” Woodruff said.

Timber frame structures have been used throughout history and have the capacity to last hundreds of years, Beggs said.

Although no specific plans have been drawn up, Beggs said he will forgo his normal design fee to work with the city on the new bandstand.

“I love my craft and would like to offer a gift to Sandpoint and its citizens for all they have done for me,” Beggs said.

The city has not yet allocated funds for the new bandstand, and Woodruff said he will solicit support from the community to augment any costs above the $5,000 insurance payout and whatever the city earmarks for the project.