Park to feature timber-frame pavilion

A Craftsman-style pavilion for the new Fir Street Park performance stage will be constructed through the cooperated efforts of Kris Calvin of Earthwood Timber Frame Homes of Oregon, Boy Scout Rory Petterson, Sisters Kiwanis Club and the City of Sisters.

The project will encompass design development, crafting of timber components, and raising of the timber-frame pavilion. Timber framing is a centuries-old craft where large solid timbers are connected using a mortise-and-tenon technique.

Kris Calvin will lead the workshop series and hands-on raising of the timber frame. Several Kiwanis members and Boy Scouts are registered for the workshops, and work has already begun on milling timber for the project.

Thanks to $2,500 in sponsorship funds provided by the Kiwanis Club of Sisters, no fees are charged to workshop participants. Several Kiwanians and Eagle Scouts are registered for the workshop. Workshop participation is limited to 15 people for the evening classroom "SketchUp" sessions, and 10 people for the hands-on shop joinery weekend sessions. Applications for the workshop may be submitted to Rory Peterson, Eagle Scout leader, or Kerry Bott, project coordinator for Kiwanis.

Peterson, 15, hopes this project will result in attaining his Eagle Scout designation, the highest advancement rank in scouting. Eagle Scout projects require the scout to plan, develop, and provide leadership to others in a service project that benefits the community, a school or religious institution. Upon completion, the project is reviewed by a project review board to determine if it meets the necessary requirements for the scout to be granted the Eagle Scout rank. Fewer than 10 percent of scouts go on to earn their Eagle Scout designation.

The raising event will be held June 28. Fir Street Park will include a splash play area with boulders, performance stage, picnic facility, family restroom, bike corrals, benches, fire pit with seating; and is expected to be completed by the end of June. A grand-opening celebration will be planned.