Wind destroys Bennington gazebo and bandstand

The Bennington town bandstand was destroyed by high winds on Jan. 2. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The bandstand at Bennington’s Sawyer Park was lifted and dropped in another spot by high winds last week. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The bandstand at Sawyer Park in Bennington had to be knocked flat after it was found damaged last week. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

Sawyer Park’s gazebo and bandstand will have to be rebuilt after high winds lifted and dropped the structure last week. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

High winds did irreperable damage to the bandstand at Sawyer Park in Bennington on Jan. 2. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

The Bennington DPW had to knock down the bandstand and gazebo at Sawyer Park after winds picked up the structure and dropped it along the side of the access road. STAFF PHOTO BY JESSECA TIMMONS

By JESSECA TIMMONS

Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Published: 01-08-2025 12:01 PM

bennington nh

The Bennington town gazebo and bandstand at Sawyer Park were damaged by high winds on Jan. 2 and will need to be rebuilt.

“The wind just picked it right up and dropped it again. The roof is completely destroyed, and the electrical conduit was ripped out of the ground,” said Bennington Select Board member Jim Cleary at Monday night’s meeting.

According to Cleary, the gazebo was initially picked up and dropped over the edge of the road leading into the park, impeding traffic.

“It was actually hanging over the road. We had to knock it down flat and get it off the road,” Cleary said.

The town plans to put in an insurance claim to rebuild the gazebo and bandstand, which is used regularly for community events at Sawyer Park on Route 202, including the annual summer Rhubarb Festival, which features live music all day.

Cleary and fellow Select Board members Tom James and Tony Parisi floated different options for possibly moving the gazebo to a more-protected spot in the park when it is rebuilt.

“It was already rickety,” Parisi said. “It is a good opportunity to think about whether is would make more sense in a different spot.”

The National Weather Service reported gusts of up to 50 mph on Jan. 2. According to Eversource, the high winds left 20,000 people without power.

Article continues after...