One only need to take a close look at the Wallowa County Courthouse gazebo to realize the structure is due for a little TLC. Rotary Club of Wallowa County has volunteered for the task.

The club’s president-elect, Chuck Anderson, volunteered the club for the project. Anderson said the Rotary year runs from July to June, so each year the Rotary gets a new president. Anderson takes over the post in July.

“We have a tradition that the new president can have a ‘president’s project’ that the club can be involved in,” Anderson said. The Rotary Club actually initiated the gazebo’s construction. “It was our project back in 1987, and we had a contractor by the name of Charlie Kissinger build it,” Anderson said. A plaque on the gazebo has additional information.

“You can tell after this much time, the gazebo needs new paint and a new roof. The roof is in pretty poor condition,” Anderson said, pointing to the crumbling wood shingles and flaking paint.

Anderson already created what he calls a nine-member “steering committee” for the gazebo restoration as well as three consultants for the project. “At minimum, we’ll repaint it and get a new roof, but what we’d also like to do is get rid of two posts (in the southwest corner) so that the band in the gazebo can actually face the audience,” Anderson said. The gazebo currently faces the courthouse. The stairs will remain in the same place.

Because Anderson doesn’t become president until July, work won’t start until summer. He hopes to start fundraising soon and try to get materials donated or at a discount. Club member Ralph Swinehart, an engineer, will advise on the project as will Joseph contractor John McColgan.

“I just figure that since it was our project to begin with, that the least we can do is keep it maintained,” Anderson said.