MARION _ A pavilion for outdoor events at the Benjamin Cushing Community Center will soon be in place, thanks to the support of the community.

Residents stepped out to reach the $180,000 goal set by the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging for a 26 foot by 36 foot pavilion on the center grounds, said Merry Conway, president of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging.

The pavilion will be available for outdoor events three seasons of the year.

Conway thanked residents who donated to the total community effort’’ and said that the organization “couldn’t be prouder of this accomplishment and of the teamwork that got us here.’’

Fund-raising efforts included a community event overlooking the harbor during the summer.  More than 350 tickets were sold and The Friends of the Marion Council on Aging raised $130,000 through this event.

Two smaller events, a festival of trees and a yard sale, also brought in money for the effort. 

The pavilion will provide a permanent structure for outdoor activities, some of which, including lunch lectures and yoga, had already been held in a tent on the grounds.

“It became apparent we had a beautiful piece of property,’’ she said. Having a pavilion, she noted, would “open the door to a lot of activities’’ for the entire community.

The pavilion will be constructed off site, Conway said, and supporters hope it will be placed on the center grounds in May. The select board has approved the design and an order has been placed with the vendor for the construction of the facility. 

“We hope to have activities by summer,’’ she said.

The center, which hosts the Council on Aging and the Recreation Department, was particularly busy during the pandemic. Grab and go lunches were provided, vaccines were made available and groceries were distributed.

Those activities, Conway said, underscored the importance of the center. 

“Services at the center continued to be front and center during the pandemic. This allowed people to realize what a vibrant place that it is.’’

Having an outdoor space will accommodate activities three seasons of the year. Outdoor activities are “very popular and necessary,’’ Conway said, particularly during Covid-19.

The Friends have a special message of thanks to the community for bringing the pavilion project to life.

“It really does take a village and boy, did you step up.’’