The City of Galion and Galion Depot, Inc., held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Depot Pavilion project on Dec. 3. Around 40 people attended, including city officials, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, rail enthusiasts, and community members.

The multi-use pavilion will be built on the northwest corner of the Galion Big Four Depot property, 127 North Washington Street.

Mayor Tom O’Leary commented that the pavilion can be used by local railroad groups. The pavilion can also be used by the art community, as it would be the largest venue for art displays in the county. It can also lend itself to a variety of live performances such as music and theater.

On Nov. 8, a bid contract was awarded to Weithman Brothers as the general contractor of the pavilion. The company is based in Galion and has served northwest Ohio’s construction needs for over 60 years.

The mayor was joined by Tom Weithman, president of Weithman Brothers, and Marty Cecil, president of Galion Depot, Inc., to break ground.

About the Pavilion

The pavilion is a rectangular, 1,205-square-foot building. It can be enclosed and will also feature a fireplace and wraparound overhang. Its architecture mimics the Queen Anne design of the depot.

The project is being funded with a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission, and up to $30,000 in local funds. City Council authorized the grant application in March of this year and the OFCC officially approved funding in June. Grant criteria required new construction and the project needed to present culture in some way.

The pavilion is scheduled to open in May of 2017. It represents the first step in a multi-phase project to restore the depot.

About Galion Depot, Inc.

Galion Depot, Inc., is a non-profit board formed in August 2015, after discussions from two public forums. Its purpose is to preserve, restore and rehabilitate the Galion Big Four Depot and to instruct the public on the community’s rich railroad and industrial heritage.

There are a total of nine (9) trustees consisting of one representative appointed by each of the following entities: Galion Historical Society, Preserving Galion, and Friends of the Big Four Depot, and two appointments for the City of Galion. An additional four community members were elected by the initial five trustees.

For more information, write to the organization at PO Box 215, Galion, or send an email to galiondepot@gmail.com.