Ultimately, it was an unprecedented public/private partnership that created enough momentum to build the structure that now stands in our Downtown. Downtown Hays Development Corporation joined forces with the City of Hays, Fort Hays State University, Commercial Builders, North Central Kansas Technical College and several financial benefactors, including the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation to bring this vision to life.

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The structure has now been gifted to the City of Hays and is maintained by the city's Parks Department. It is available for public use, free of charge. Residents can contact the parks department to reserve the pavilion for private events, just like other park shelter houses.

 

The 44' x 84' pavilion features an adobe roof, stained wood ceiling, several metal benches honoring project donors, and a brick retaining wall that honors the names of many other downtown benefactors. The space has seating room for approximately 100 people, using the columns, benches, and retaining walls for seating. There are no permanent seats or tables within the pavilion to keep the space open for events.