Pavilion renovation in Cromwell

Speaking during the pavilion’s open house, Mayor Sharon Zalazny welcomed guests and recognized members of the Cromwell City Council, emphasizing that the project was the result of years of community partnership.
“This was a project that we all worked together on,” Zalazny said.
The pavilion has long served as the centerpiece for community celebrations, meetings and special events. Originally constructed as an open-air pavilion, the building underwent its first major transformation in 2001 under the direction of then-Mayor Dick Huhta. That project enclosed the structure, added a full-service kitchen and transformed it into the community center residents have enjoyed for more than two decades. 
Today, the renovated facility seats approximately 250 people and features a reception and meeting area, a wood stage and dance floor, a full-service kitchen with serving counter, and four restrooms. The pavilion is available to rent for meetings, parties, family reunions, wedding receptions and other community or private events through the City of Cromwell.

While the building continued to serve residents well, city leaders recognized that additional improvements had become necessary. Before tackling the renovation, however, the city first addressed significant drainage issues within the park.
In March 2022, Zalazny assembled a committee representing many of Cromwell’s civic organizations, including the Community Club, Quilters, Young Old Timers, the playground group and other community members, to identify the building’s needs.
“It became clear at our very first meeting that we needed everything,” Zalazny said. “Heating, electrical, air conditioning and a complete kitchen renovation.”
The committee determined that outside funding would be essential. Working with the city’s engineering firm at the time, JPJ Engineering, Zalazny learned of Minnesota’s Small Cities Development Program grant opportunity and encouraged the city to apply.
Although city officials knew the grant would require a local financial match and had not budgeted those funds, they decided the opportunity was worth pursuing.

To the city’s surprise, Cromwell was awarded a $600,000 grant in September 2024, making the renovation project possible.
Receiving the grant meant the city would finance its required local share through a loan, while local organizations immediately stepped forward to help.
The Cromwell Community Club organized a spaghetti dinner and silent auction to raise funds, helping launch the project. Throughout construction, the city worked closely with Bolton & Menk engineers and architects, along with BP Builders, whose crews coordinated construction while allowing volunteers to complete portions of the work themselves to help reduce costs.
Zalazny praised the project partners for their flexibility and commitment to the community’s vision.
“They listened to what we wanted, and they worked us into the construction schedule so volunteers could complete projects like painting rather than paying for that work through the grant,” she said.

Community volunteers also contributed hundreds of hours to the renovation effort. Zalazny recognized dozens of residents by name and thanked the Community Club for contributing nearly $10,000 toward the pavilion’s new dance floor and window screens. She also singled out volunteer Dustin for going “over and above” throughout the project.
For Zalazny, the completed renovation represents much more than updated mechanical systems and a modernized kitchen.
“In a rural community like ours, a building like this holds a lot of memories,” she said.
She recalled weddings, community dinners, steak fries, meetings, dances and countless conversations that have taken place within the pavilion’s walls over the years.

“We not only renovated our community center,” Zalazny said. “We provided a place to build and strengthen our community for years to come.”
Following the ceremony, guests toured the renovated pavilion and enjoyed refreshments provided by Bolton & Menk and BP Builders as the community celebrated a renewed gathering place that builds upon improvements first envisioned under Mayor Dick Huhta and is now prepared to host generations of future celebrations, family gatherings, civic meetings and community events.

Residents interested in renting the pavilion for public or private functions may obtain rental information and reservation forms through Cromwell City Hall, where availability and rental rates are maintained.