Pavilion groundbreaking and 100th anniversary kickoff

The Janesville Lions Club will host an event on Saturday, May 21 to celebrate two major milestones: the 100th anniversary of the club’s founding and the groundbreaking for a major improvement project at Lions Beach being completed as a part of the club’s centennial celebration.

The public is invited to join current and past Janesville Lions Club members, City of Janesville representatives, and other project supporters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as we turn over the first shovelfuls of dirt for a large, permanent picnic pavilion to be located just west of the current bathhouse building.

The groundbreaking will occur promptly at noon; it will be preceded by remarks from club leadership and followed by a short presentation by Janesville City Council President Paul Benson. There is limited seating in the park, so attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair if they wish to sit during the presentation. The event will be held rain or shine.

The official invitation for our 100th anniversary kickoff and Lions Beach pavilion groundbreaking ceremony
The official invitation for our 100th anniversary kickoff and Lions Beach pavilion groundbreaking ceremony

The club began a fundraising drive for this project in early 2020, with the total raised nearing $120,000. The 30′ x 30′ hexagon pavilion will feature a two-tier roof, electrical service, LED lighting, and a tongue & groove pine ceiling. It will be fully accessible, with a concrete path leading from the existing sidewalk to the pavilion, providing easy access to those who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

The pavilion will be open to all beachgoers, but also will be available to rent by larger groups. Beginning in the spring of 2023, families, businesses, and other organizations will be able to reserve use of the pavilion through the City of Janesville Parks Department’s reservation system.

The Janesville Lions Club recently received a $59,000 award from the City of Janesville’s Pay It Forward grant program, which will allow for additional improvements to be made to Lions Beach and the surrounding park area, including new picnic tables, metal shade structures for the beach area, and more.

After the groundbreaking and short program, the Lions Club will provide cake and water to all in attendance, at no charge. A food truck, Rutaqueria Pancho, will be on-site during and after the event, selling Mexican food items and soft drinks.

“The Janesville Lions Club has a long history of supporting parks and recreational facilities in the City of Janesville and in Rock County,” said Janesville Lions Club President Eric Kuznacic. “From Traxler Park to Walt Lindemann Sportsman’s Park to the Janesville Schools Outdoor Lab and beyond, the Lions Beach pavilion project continues our commitment to preserving and improving our public spaces.”

More information about the Lions Beach Pavilion project and information on how to donate can be found at lionsbeach.org. The club will host other events related to its 100th anniversary throughout the next year; updates will be posted on the club’s website as well as on its social media accounts.

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