To the Editor:

For the past two years, area volunteers have been meeting and organizing fundraising efforts in support of a wide range of activities that could attract people from surrounding North Country regions to visit Canton for special presentations to be conducted at Bend in the River Park.  

Now, following the encouraging success received from donations of local businesses and companies, members of “Friends of Bend in the River” are looking forward to similar responses from all residents of Canton. Fundraiser cards have been mailed to every local USPS Canton address. Support received will be directly applied to the total renovation of Canton Pavilion’s Riley Community Room.

The Riley Room Project, intended to be completed by the Spring of 2027, will include improved acoustics to benefit educational and business seminars, new flooring and lighting for fitness and entertainment gatherings, totally repainted and paneled walls, and upgraded entrances to accommodate all individuals. Friends of Bend in the River plan to review the Riley Room’s events and schedules with Village of Canton officials, along with the new Recreation Program Director, who will be appointed in the coming weeks.  

Friends of Bend in the River are especially grateful for the guidance Commercial Press supplied in implementing the card logo and its extensive mailings. Local contractors and businesses will be called upon for each phase outlined during the Riley Room Project.

All funds received are being forwarded to the Northern New York Community Foundation, Watertown, NY. Foundation representatives have met with Friends on various occasions in recent months. Program directors were highly pleased by the Riley Room Project and by what Bend in the River Park potentially offers for youth and adult events. As stated on its official website, “NNYCF works to bring people together and to discuss challenges communities face and to find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.”

Since initial plans began, Friends of Bend in the River have received many positive remarks from area residents. Individuals and families now have an opportunity to take part directly in the Riley Room Project, which continues to be reviewed as an important step forward in establishing a separately located Canton Community Center. Such facilities are available in the villages and towns throughout St. Lawrence County. 

Friends of Bend in the River are greatly appreciative of all donations received to date and ask families to share their fundraising card information with friends and relatives who may now be out of the area. 

Friends of Bend
in the River Committee