By Michael O’Hearn, Intern

Residents in the Columbus area should begin to take notice of a new structure being built at Veterans Park this summer.

Nathaniel Watkins is currently negotiating with the town, county and his architect, Dean Trakas, to build a new pavilion in the park. Watkins is 16 years old and is a rising senior at Polk County Early College. Watkins also works at Bonnie Brae Veterinary Hospital, training as an office receptionist for the business.

Honoring the veterans who have served while also reducing the cost of renting tents for events at the park are two reasons Watkins decided to tackle the project.

“I have a lot of family members who are veterans and this was my way to pay respect to what they have done,” Watkins said. “I’ve noticed, since I’m a resident, that they have to rent tents every time they have concerts or any kind of event there. That costs them around $300 and they have concerts perhaps once a week so that’s a lot of money. This is a way for the town to get a standing structure that will stay there forever.”

In order to become an Eagle Scout, Watkins must have laid out a project and completed it in order to gain entry into the scouts program. Watkins is currently a Life Scout and building the pavilion will secure his title as an Eagle.

“I’m the highest you can be without being an Eagle Scout, which is a Life Scout, and you have to go through the ranks,” Watkins said. “You have to have a certain number of merit badges that are required to be an Eagle Scout, 23 or 24 I believe, and after you have met that requirement there are a bunch of book requirements that you have to do. After you’ve met those you have to pitch a project and complete it.”

Trakas owns and operates the Brady-Trakas architecture firm on North Trade Street in Tryon.

According to Trakas, the pavilion should be done within a month, given nice weather and pending the approval of the building permit by the Town of Columbus.

“It’s a real simple construction that is similar in style to the riverside construction in Harmon Field, if you want to use that for reference,” Trakas said. “I think we agreed on it being 22-by-32 square feet and it will have six posts supporting a roof. The pavilion itself will be a shed-style, open-air structure for bands and performers at the park. Once Nathaniel gets the necessary permits in the next few weeks, we should be ready to start building.”

The pavilion will cover the concrete slab that exists in the park, according to Trakas. Whether he and Watkins will put the posts on the slab is yet to be determined.

“There may not be enough concrete down to support the posts so we’ll have to see,” Trakas said. “I’m not 100 percent sure about it yet. We may change our minds and go for it. Nathaniel is a bright and conscientious kid and we’re really excited to do it for Polk County and the veterans.”

Watkins said he hopes to finish the project as soon as he can and will consider throwing a benefit concert to raise donations.

“I hope to have it done by the end of the summer,” Watkins said. “The whole project, altogether, is going to cost about $13,000. I’ve had a lot of support in the community and people who have said they would like to donate once I start to take donations for it. I might hold a benefit concert with some food trucks to get the ball rolling.”

Marshall Watkins, Nathaniel’s father and scoutmaster of Troop 659, said there will be many benefits to Nathaniel doing this project.

“The Town of Columbus will no longer have to either rent a tent for their music or pay their staff to put one up. Another benefit is that it will be a beautiful addition to Veterans Park,” Nathaniel’s father said. “When Nathaniel is 40 years old and visits Columbus, he can show this to his children and be proud of what he has accomplished as well as use it as a motivational tool. We have a long history of veterans in our family and this will be a wonderful way for Nathaniel to honor those who have served.”

 

PHOTOS:
Architect’s rendering of the 22-by-32 foot pavilion planned for Veterans Park in Columbus at the corner of Gibson and Ward St. (Submitted by Dean Trakas)

The fountain at Veterans Park is adjacent to the location Watkins plans to build a pavilion as an outdoor music, entertainment and event venue. (Photo by Michael O’Hearn)

PULL OUT BOX:
To volunteer, to donate, or to get more information on the Veterans Park pavilion project, contact Nathaniel Watkins at 828-216-1118.