Ground breaking held for Holdsworth Pavilion

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Gary Holdsworth, Versailles Town Council member Mike Dougherty, Versailles Town Council President Roxanne Meyer, and Versailles Town Council member Josh Combs get a shovel of dirt to officially begin the Pocket Park project where the Holdsworth Entertainment Pavilion is being built.

A large crowd gathered at 9 a.m. last Friday, July 22 in the lot beside the Versailles Town Hall for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Holdsworth Entertainment Pavilion. The lot was mapped out with all the various things that are planned for the Pocket Park that will enhance the town and bring the sound of music to the area.

Money was quickly raised to match a $50,000 grant from the state’s CreatINg Spaces grant program and plans were underway for the new park area. The group raised $10,000 beyond their initial goal and will be using that money to add some percussive play instruments, according to Holly Wehr, Community Development Director for the Town of Versailles.

The group that gathered included members of the Holdsworth family. Patsy Holdsworth passed away in 2019. She, along with her husband, Gary, were instrumental in teaching hundreds of music students over the years, along with providing beautiful music in church and various other venues. The pavilion will honor their commitment to South Ripley Schools for many years. She was loved by all who knew her and dedicated her life to teaching music.

Town Council President Meyer noted that the town was honored to have the Holdsworth family in attendance and in particular, Gary, who was too emotional to say more than a humble “thank you” for everything.

From former educators to friends and acquaintances of the Holdsworths the crowd gathered to experience the excitement of the new park that is expected to host many musical events in the years to come.

Jordan Hoover of Rustic Creation will be the contractor for the pavilion project. He was in attendance and said the work would begin immediately and they hoped to wrap up this summer, weather permitting.