A group of Navan volunteers have launched an ambitious fundraising campaign aimed at raising enough money to build an outdoor pavilion on the Navan Fairgrounds.

The campaign is being spearheaded by the Navan Community Association (NCA), which has already raised $620,000 through private donations, including a $200,000 contribution from the Friends of the Mer Bleue. The NCA is hoping to raise another $280,000 through the public fundraising campaign.

Once it’s built, the 15,300ft2 pavilion will be used to cover an outdoor rink in the winter and host a number of events the rest of the year, including the Navan Fallfest, the Original Navan Market and the Navan Fair without the fear of rain.

The pavilion will also allow the NCA to attract other events which will only serve to benefit the community.

“At its core, the project is designed to foster social connections and enhance the well-being of residents, by providing a space for people to come together, engage in activities, and build relationships,” the NCA states as part of its press release.

The fundraising campaign is part of a long tradition of successful fundraising efforts in the past in Navan that include the Navan Cenotaph, the Navan Memorial Arena, the Navan Town Clock and the St. Mary’s Church restoration project.

Some of the local businesses and families that have so far contributed to the project
include:
• the Seguin-Reid Family
• Gloucester Electric
• C&L Construction
• Maurice Yelle Excavation
• Heritage Funeral Complex
• Urban Quarry
• Moore Investments & Insurance Group
• Top Grade Enterprise
• the Moore Family
• the Cumberland Township Agricultural Society

Besides individual donations, the NCA is also hoping to get more corporate donations by offering various incentives depending on how much money they donate such as having their name placed on a dedicated plaque and public recognition in print and social media.