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Donovan Park pavilion proponents set to restate their case to Peoria Park District board this week

Pavilion in the Park

Advocates for a 1,500-seat performing arts pavilion, using 18 acres in the southeastern corner of Donovan Park, will make another presentation to the Peoria Park District's board of trustees this week.

The proposal's proponents largely retreated into the background after a poor reception at the park board and by members of the general public last year, but a new presentation on the pavilion project is on the agenda for this Wednesday's meeting.

Park district executive director Emily Cahill said the park district will gather public input ahead of a December park board vote deciding whether to give further consideration to the proposed public-private partnership.

"The Peoria Park District relies upon collaboration and our process is designed to openly facilitate debate about opportunity when it is presented," said Cahill in a statement. "We look forward to facilitating an open, transparent process as our board decides if this partnership makes sense for the landscape of Donovan Park."

Pavilion advocate Nick Maloof confirmed the group is bringing the concept back, but declined to offer specifics about what may have changed over the past year.

Opponents maintain the pavilion concept is wrong for Donovan Park. They suggest another site would be more appropriate.

The meeting starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Noble Center, 1125 W. Lake Ave.

Corrected: November 15, 2022 at 9:06 AM CST
The Donovan Park Pavilion proposal was for 1,500 seats, not 1,500 square feet. The pavilion itself was projected to take up 2 acres of the total 18-acre footprint for the development. We regret the error.
Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.