The City of St. Catharines has announced the fundraising campaign to honor iconic drummer Neil Peart with a statue.
The campaign, looks to raise $1 million, to fund a memorial alongside the Neil Peart Pavilion at Lakeside Park, which Peart wrote about in the lyrics to the Rush song of the same name.
"Neil Peart’s impact on music is immeasurable, but it’s his connection to St. Catharines that makes this memorial so meaningful. We are honoured to celebrate his legacy right here in the city he called home during his formative years. This project will not only pay tribute to one of the greatest drummers of all time but will also bring people from around the world to Lakeside Park to experience the place that inspired so much of his work." Mayor Mat Siscoe said.
Fans and community members gathered at Lakeside Park today to kick off the campaign, with speeches highlighting Neil’s deep connection to St. Catharines. As a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and recipient of the Order Of Canada, Neil Peart is hailed as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Throughout his career, he fondly reflected on his summers in Port Dalhousie, which inspired the hit song, “Lakeside Park”.
The Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force, was established by the St. Catharines City Council in 2020, and donations and sponsorships will come with opportunities including the Steel Level at $5,000 and the Wood Level at $500.
Full details are available at stcatharines.ca/NeilPeartSponsorship