As something of a warmup for the official public dedication on May 12, movers and shakers behind construction of the new concert stage at the Lafayette Reservoir gathered Wednesday afternoon to thank invited donors for bringing years of behind-the-scenes fund solicitation to fruition.
The stage, completed last November at a cost of roughly $125,000 from private donations, is the new shining jewel in the 925-acre public recreation area that itself is a jewel and has been since its completion in 1933.
Spearheading the 12-year-long fundraising campaign was the Rotary Club of Lafayette, known in addition to other community-service endeavors as sponsors of the hugely popular annual Lafayette Reservoir Run, which attracts entrants from near and far.
Assembled guests, seated in lawn chairs on the naturally sloped lawn above the stage, were treated to a succession of live performances -- musical and dramatic -- by students attending nearby public schools. Even Mother Nature took a bow.
Since the inaugural public concert -- sans fabricated stage -- was held in 1995, the Rotary Club has donated more than $100,000 to local public schools in support of a variety of programs, including music education.
It is expected that a bronze plaque recognizing major donors in perpetuity will be unveiled at the May 12 baptism. At this time the first public concert will be performed. All are welcome to attend.
