The Lillian Gregerman Bandshell Bandshell in Onset Village is finally being renovated — and it should be ready to host events in a few weeks, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan reported at the June 14 Select Board meeting.

Town Meeting approved spending $333,000 of Community Preservation funds to replace the bandshell in fall 2018, and a request for qualifications for potential contractors to execute the work was posted to the town’s website in September 2021.

After officials learned of the skyrocketing cost of replacement, it was decided the bandshell would be refurbished instead. Sullivan said that the underlying structure is solid enough that it should last for about 40 more years.

Municipal maintenance crews are hard at work, and will be completing most of the upgrades themselves.

So far, the workers have pulled apart the wooden extension to the stage, which will be replaced with poured concrete. 

Per Onset Bay Association President Kat Jones’ request, there will be plenty of room in front of the stage for people to dance.

The railings will be painted black. The rotted areas of the structure will be removed and replaced, and crews are adding more supports throughout the structure. Workers are also remediating drainage issues.

The siding and trim will be replaced with white plastic beadboard, which Sullivan said looks nice and has the longest possible lifespan. The roofing material will be red to match the nearby Onset Bay Center. 

All electrical infrastructure and lighting will be replaced by contractors.

Still ahead: Work on the seating area and to increase ADA compliance. Sullivan said that work will begin after the summer season.