Toledo Bandstand to receive a facelift

TOLEDO — Toledo Bandstand renovations are set to begin in full swing beginning on Sept. 8, with an 8 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony. Located on the east side of the Tama County Courthouse lawn in downtown Toledo, it has served as the site for countless events over its 87-year-old history and today needs overall repairs and updating.

The $125,585 project will serve to insure preservation of the structure and provide improvements to bring it up to modern times according to Jim Roan, the project manager. A total of $100,000 of the cost has already been put together from donations and a good start for the remaining $25,585 needed has begun. But more support is needed for completion of the funding by Oct. 10.

To help pay for the preservation and improvements checks may be mailed to City of Toledo -Bandstand, City Clerk, 1007 S. Prospect Dr., Toledo, IA. 52342. The city is the owner of the bandstand.

Adding a metal roof, a brick facade to match the courthouse, new lighting and a sound system and relocation of the seven historic lamp posts are among highlights of the project.

The work has been approved by the Tama County Board of Supervisors as the bandstand is located on county property.

Completion date for the work is Oct. 17 and a dedication will then be at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Dunn Custom Masonry is the local contractor for the structure work.

The historic bandstand was built by H.H. Turbett Masonry in 1938. The Toledo Commercial Club and city council members were in charge.

It was first used as part of the Tama County Homecoming – Iowa Centennial Celebration in August of that year. Iowa Governor Nelson G. Kraschel and Francis Johnson, head of the Iowa Farm Bureau were featured speakers who appeared on the new bandstand during the observance.