1st Capital Project: Outdoor Recreation Area & Shade Pavilion
The coronavirus pandemic caused an epidemic of loneliness and social isolation among older adults, carrying with it significant health and emotional risks. In recognition of this, in 2020 the Pelham NH Council on Aging (COA) rented and erected a humongous outdoor tent on the property behind Hobbs Community Center. The tent was erected to hold safe, outdoor activities for older adults during the COVID pandemic. Corn Hole, weight training, exercise classes, a Chili Hot Dog Day and many other events were held under the tent during the COVID pandemic, while adhering to pandemic restrictions.
The COA was delighted by how well the temporary structure was received. Many older adults in the Pelham community live in apartment buildings and/or do not have access to safe, outdoor space. Clearly older adults, who have access to outdoor space, can connect with the natural world and are, as a result, happier both physically and mentally. Throughout the summer months there was a waiting list of people who wanted to participate in activities held under the tent. The end of summer (2020) culminated with a socially distanced, social event, held under the tent that allowed everyone to safely gather to listen to music, and see and talk to others they had not seen in months. The positive impact on the spirit of each participant was obvious and vocalized by attendees. The simple act of gathering, had lifted everyone’s spirit, allowing them to reconnect to a world that had been solitary, giving everyone hope for the future.
Given the positive response to the activities held under the tent and requests from older adults for more outdoor activities, the COA made plans to rent a tent again in 2021, but the cost increased significantly. This increase in cost prompted the COA to consider building a permanent structure and simultaneously upgrade the safety of the area behind Hobbs Community Center, so that it is accessible for all older adults. The Outdoor Recreation Area and Shade Pavilion will enable Hobbs Community Center to double the capacity of the Center to serve older adults, without having to build an addition to the existing building, and increase opportunity for older adults to enjoy being outdoors. This recreation area includes a Shade Pavilion designed to accommodate 60 people seated at tables, or 100 non-seated people.

The projected cost of the project was around $70,000. The COA secured bids from local contractors for everything from redesigning the sprinkler system, installing power to the Pavilion, building the Pavilion, landscaping the outdoor area, building accessible paths and purchasing outdoor furniture, fire pits and other equipment. The COA has raised the funds to build the Outdoor Recreation Area and Shade Pavilion, thanks in large part to the NH Charitable Foundation, Enterprise Bank, Pelham Healthcare Associates, Ralph Judkins, a COA board member, and hundreds of individual and local business donations. This project was complete in the spring of 2022. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony occurred on June 23rd, 2022.
I am happy to report that we’ve raised $80,000+ to build an Outdoor Recreation Area and Shade Pavilion on the grounds of Hobbs Community Center. It is with a grateful heart that I share this list of generous people and businesses, who will make a positive difference for older adults in our community. The following is a list of those donors who made contributions of $1,000 or more to the project. The COA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23rd, 2022 to recognize all of our donors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Yvonne La-Garde, Pelham NH Council of Aging.
Pavilion Donations
$10,000+ | |
Enterprise Bank & Trust Company | New Hampshire Charitable Foundation |
Boston Billiards Club, Nashua, NH | River Casino & Sports Bar, Nashua, NH |
$5000 | |
Judkins, Ralph & Barbara | Pelham Healthcare Associates |
$1,000 – $3,000 | ||
Arrow Container Services, LLC | Bedard, Roberta J. | Bergeron, James P. |
Claypool, David | Gagnon, Paul & La-Garde, Yvonne | John H. Hargreaves Memorial Post |
Lamoureux, Robert | Southern NH Health | Rogers, Helen |
Steck, Linda |