By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
It was a day of celebration in the city of Galion as new life was breathed into the Big Four Depot with the grand opening of the Depot Pavilion Saturday.
After breaking ground in December of last year, the Depot Pavilion was erected and ready for its grand showcase in a little over six months. While the building took only six months to construct and finish, board member Matt Echelberry spoke about the relief of seeing this day come.
“This has been a long time coming. A lot of work has been put in by a lot of people in the city as well as a local architect we were working with,” Echelberry said. “It just feels great to be able to open this up, have people check it out, and, more importantly, showcase what the building can be used for.”
“It is great, absolutely great. It is truly an asset to the community. We have a good crowd, good weather, and a great facility,” interim Galion Mayor Carl Watt said of the day.
While the Galion Alumni Band performed, Echelberry spoke about a few of the other activities surrounding the Depot Pavilion for the day.
“Later on there is going to be an auction so we already have auction items set out, we have tables set up for people to come in if they want to eat and get out of the sun,” Echelberry said. “There are some activities going on as well. United Bank was kind enough to sponsor a kids’ activity booth. We have a couple food trucks, the lobby of the depot opened so people can go in and take a peak.”
The Depot Pavilion is just the beginning of the restoration process of the Big Four Depot. Echelberry spoke about what will come next.
“The big announcement for the day is that the city just received a certified local government grant from the State Historic Preservation Office, and what that is going to fund is developing a master plan for the depot,” Echelberry said. “So, what that includes is a building assessment, some preliminary engineering cost estimates, breaking all of the work into phases and that is really going to become the blueprint for any projects on the building itself.”
Making his first public appearance since his health scare, Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary was on hand to say a few words and cut the ribbon for the ceremony.
“For many years we have seen this as a hinge point for the city. A look into the past as well as a look forward into what Galion can be in the future,” O’Leary said. “This structure today really is that hinge around which I think we can build a really exciting and promising future that has already begun rolling in that direction.
“This is a physical tribute to the idea that we can bring back to life one of Galion’s main landmarks,” O’Leary continued.
After speaking, O’Leary was presented with a plaque by United Bank of Galion Assistant Vice President Jennifer Kuns that contained the names of those who have helped make the project possible.
Prior to cutting the ribbon to signify the opening, Director of the Friends of the Big Four Depot Marty Cecil spoke shortly to the crowd.
“The money that was spent on the pavilion could not be used for restoration. No way could we put anything into the depot. Now that we see this and you know everything that we earn here after we pay our bills go towards the depot. It is coming back. I stand here and I get emotional because I stand here and I can see my dad standing in the office one on this side, one on the other side. Just remember this is your depot. This is Galion’s depot. The city owns it and we are going to bring it back. The only depot of the Big Four that is left is right here.”
The ribbon cutting wasn’t the only activity taking place on the grounds of the Big Four Depot Saturday. Also being held was Creation at the Station. Starting at 8 a.m. artists were able to come onto the site to paint pictures of the depot as well as other buildings around town. Proceeds from an auction held that day will go towards future depot projects.
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