By: Brad Flynn | Published March 15, 2025
Story of Friendship Stage
On September 4th the Bath Band Shell Project, now known as Friendship Stage, was completed! The concept of this project was first discussed among Borough Councilmembers during the latter portions of 2024. From Council discussions, the go-ahead, planning and design, and construction, the project was completed in about a year. This was quite a feat considering the extensive commercial code the Borough was required to design, construct, and adhere to.
The project wasn’t smooth sailing. Crews had to battle through a cold spring season and weather delays. There were issues with sourcing some materials and fixtures. At one point, some materials were transported to the site that were incorrect and needed to be re-shipped. Crews also had to overcome commercial building inspections, adjusting along the way to meet the building code. Crews planned for a completion date of June 2025. But with so many project delays and snags, there was skepticism as to whether Friendship Stage was going to be ready before the Old Home Weekend festival in mid-September.
Then there were the construction challenges the project brought. There were phases of construction that were not completely understood by volunteers. Such as the roofing and ADA Handrail install phases. Volunteer & Lead Carpenter Bill Lamparter was instrumental in researching, reviewing, and coming up with troubleshooting ideas that kept the project moving. Bill was also assisted by Volunteer Manny Mirabito who is always thinking outside the box. The never quit attitude of project volunteers was key to the teams success.
In total, the project required 302.84 volunteer man-hours. Bath’s Public Works Department logged 196 man-hours with 38 hours in heavy machinery time. Total project costs were $49,901.89. The Borough contributed $24,950.95 in material/labor costs, volunteer time, and in-kind contributions through the Public Works Department. The Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development’s Grow NorCo Grant program funded the other $24,950.95.
County Commissioner, Tom Giovanni was instrumental in helping the Borough receive matching funds. The Borough can’t thank Northampton County officials and staff enough for helping to fund this amazing project!
This project should have cost the Borough well over $100,000. Dedicated volunteerism, a top-notch Public Works Department, and a county partner in funding, along with a few strokes of good luck, brought this new park feature to Bath for a quarter of that cost.
The Borough wishes to thank everyone involved for turning this idea into realty. It truly was a grand slam of how the private-public partnership works and can benefit an entire community.
Here’s the Council that pumped life into this idea:
Mayor Fiorella Mirabito, Council President Frank Hesch, III, Vice President Michele Ehrgott, Councilman Jim Lisiecki, Councilman Manny Mirabito, Councilman Doug Hamadyk, Councilwoman Lauren Bullsnake, and Councilwoman Sam Angst.
The Borough wishes to thank the following volunteers and their families for their commitment and sacrifice to see this project through. These volunteers pushed aside their needs and busy lives to serve Bath, expecting nothing in return, and delivering something that will serve so many people in the years to come:
Lead Carpenter/Framer – Bill Lamparter
Council President – Frank Hesch, III
Councilman – Manny Mirabito
Councilman/Parks Chairman – Jim Lisiecki
Borough Manager – Brad Flynn
Bath Code/Zoning Official – Shawn Leidy
Bath Resident – Phil West
The Borough wishes to thank the following contractors & suppliers:
– 4Winds Concrete (Concrete Sponsor)
– Shelly’s Building Supply
– Rick Meyer and crew of Ricky Meyer Concrete
– Ron Silfies and crew of Sparks Electric
– Simplified Building
– Ross Sotak, P.E. (Design Engineer)
– Barry Isett & Associates (Providing Discounted Engineering Services)
– Two Brothers Gutters
August/September: Bath Public Works crew complete the final grading. The Public Works crew was instrumental in keeping project timelines a realty. At every turn, when volunteer workers needed materials, Chris Craig and the crew came through. This was on top of all the other responsibilities the crew needed to complete over the same timeframe.
The Borough is so incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated Public Works Department. Thank you, Chris Craig, Steve Amey, Bill Parr, and Jay Fenon!
On August 27th, Volunteers Bill Lamparter, Manny Mirabito, and Brad Flynn installed the ADA Handrail kit to the concrete ramp.
This was the first time either volunteer had installed an ADA ramp. This was just one of many different challenges and obstacles volunteers had to overcome throughout construction. Many firsts: installing the ADA handrail, the metal roofing system and moisture barrier, and building the roof structure on a challenging splay angle.
Everyone worked together and overcame those challenges!
On August 8th, Volunteers Manny Mirabito and Frank Hesch completed all the siding and trim.
On July 12th the metal roof was installed. This metal roof was special order since the roof pitch on the project was 1:12 (almost flat).
The roof rakes, completing the roof construction occurred on August 12th.
During the final roof installation, Ricky Meyer began work on the concrete ramp that would lead up to the Band Shell platform.
In total, this project called for nearly 26 yards of concrete.
Framing construction of the Band Shell project began on June 7th. The concrete cure period of 30 days and weather conditions delayed the construction activities.
The first step was to install the main ledger board.
Once the ledger board and columns were set, it was time to install two massive beams. The front beam was over 28 feet in length weighing over 600 lbs. Both beams weighed nearly half a ton!
On Sunday, June 8th, it was time to put on the roof! Over the course of two days, the Band Shell was constructed!
As part of the roofing construction, the Borough was required to install a sticky membrane to protect against moisture penetration.
In the process, we only had one person fall off the roof! Just kidding.
By April 17th the porch foundational wall forms were being installed. The foundational walls were 10″ thick, with 1′ piers that would be used to hold the columns and nearly 1,000 lbs. of overhead beams of the roof structure.
On April 9th, the footers were poured. The Borough is incredibly grateful for 4Winds Concrete, providing a major sponsorship toward this community project!
By April 8th, crews began installing all the rebar that would be needed for the porch footers and foundation. There was more than $3,000 worth of rebar installed in this project.
Groundbreaking! The construction official commenced on a brisk day, March 25th. Public Works was tasked with providing all excavation and final grading of the project as part of their normal work schedule. Public Works man hours and equipment time would be used towards the Borough’s in-kind grant funding match, in partnership with Northampton County.
With the design in place, crews were ready to start building! The two-step staircase on the east side of the stage was later abandoned to save on project costs. The staircase was overkill and not required since the ADA ramp would be installed on the west side of the stage.
The Borough of Bath is one step closer to having its own bandshell, performance platform at Ciff Cowling Park!
On March 12th, the designer, contractor, and volunteers met to discuss construction of the bandshell. The bandshell will be a porch addition to the Ciff Cowling Announcer Booth (along its north wall).
The concrete patio area will have a covered roof, accessibility ramps, and electrical service.
Planning for this project began several months ago. With design and permitting complete, the project is ready for construction! The work is largely being done by volunteers, which saves on overall costs.
The project has been partially funded by Northampton County (in an amount up to $25,000) through the Grow NORCO grant program. Work is expected to begin later in March with a completion date tentatively set for late June.
Local performers and musical artists, get your equipment tuned up! We want to hear you rock this porch!
Volunteers & Contractors
Designer – Barry Isett Associates – Ross Sotak, P.E.
Contractor – Rick Meyer (Meyers Concrete)
Vendor – 4Winds Concrete (Major Project Sponsor)
Vendor – Shelly’s Building Supply
Volunteer – Bill Lamparter (Lead Carpenter)
Volunteer – Frank Hesch (Council President)
Volunteer – Jim Lisiecki (Council Member & Parks Committee Chairperson)
Volunteer – Manny Mirabito (Councilperson)
Volunteer – Phillip West (Member of the Bath Planning Commission)
Volunteer – Brad Flynn (Borough Manager)
Public Works – Chris Craig (PWD Crew Leader)
Public Works – Steve Amey
Public Works – Bill Parr
Public Works – Jay Fenon
Original Sketch Design
Site Location
