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Westport To Invest $1M In New Levitt Pavilion

WESTPORT, Conn. – Residents from Westport and beyond may get to enjoy outdoor concerts at a new Levitt Pavilion beginning next summer. Construction on a new facility is planned to begin in September now that the town’s legislative body has approved funding. 

“Our construction timeline forecasts it will be ready for our summer season next year,” said Carleigh Welsh, marketing and communications director for the Levitt. “Next year will be our 40th anniversary, so the timing is especially momentous.”

The new pavilion is expected to cost $6.7 million. Of that amount, the town will fund $1.1 million and the rest will be covered by funds raised by the Levitt. The Representative Town Meeting, the town’s legislative body, approved funding for the project Tuesday night in a 28 to 3 vote. The project was endorsed by the Board of Finance last week.

Plans for the new Levitt call for a covered stage and an information/hospitality center with a concession area and bathrooms. The new pavilion would replace and be built on the site of the existing stage at 40 Jesup Road, behind the library.

“We’re very excited and so gratified to have the town endorse the project,” said Freda Welsh, executive director of the Levitt.

If the project were to exceed the expected $6.7 million, Welsh said, the Levitt would not seek additional funds from the town, but would instead step up its fundraising efforts. “The $1.1 million is a one-time gift from the town,” she said.

Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff called the Levitt one of Westport’s jewels and said the $1.1 million the town will fund for the project is an investment.

“The Levitt is valuable to the community,” Joseloff said. “It’s a good deal for the town and certainly for taxpayers.”

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