The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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November 21, 2009

Casino renovation giving icon a new look

By Joe Pinchot

HERMITAGE — Frank Novotny is getting anxious.

“I wish they’d get it done,” he said.

“It” is the renovation of the historic Casino in Buhl Farm Park, Hermitage.

Built in 1915, the Casino was getting rundown before contractors started their work in June, the Sharpsville man said.

“It was well overdue for a face lift,” Novotny said, as geese squawked at the presence of his Australian shepherd, Dutch.

The work is on schedule, said park General Manager Pat O’Mahony and Greer Hayden, president of HHSDR Architects/Engineers, Sharon.

“Going well; kind of smooth,” Hayden said.

Workers have run into no surprises or delays, and the weather has helped, he said.

The roof is finished, the windows and skylights are installed, and workers are building the columns and fastening the siding. Inside, drywall is going up, Hayden said.

When the work is done — April is the target — the first floor will be very different from what people remember, with the park’s offices moving there. The second floor will be updated, but will remain much the same as it had been.

O’Mahony said it seems that more people are walking the interior of the park since the construction started.

“It’s exciting,” O’Mahony said. “Everyone wants to see the end product. The people walking every day are looking at what’s going on. It’s a neat project.”

One of those walkers is Mary Anne Grasso of Sharon, who has been visiting the park for 27 years.

“I think it’s great that they’re doing this, that they’re saving an historic building like this and that they didn’t tear it down,” she said, holding the leash of her standard poodle, Sadie. “I’m looking forward to the finished product.”

With all those eyes on the prize, the contractors have been making sure they do things right, Hayden said. Sometimes, contractors want to get in and out to move onto the next project. Not so with the Casino, he said.

“I think it’s been kind of nice,” Hayden said. “Everyone has been putting forth the effort, respecting the structure and the prominence of it in the community.”

Rien Construction, Brookfield, is the general contractor. Central Heating and Plumbing, New Castle, is installing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Sheehan Plumbing and Heating, Sharpsville, is handling the plumbing, and Bruce and Merilees Electric Co., New Castle, is putting in the electric components. Medico Systems, Ashtabula, Ohio, removed asbestos and lead.

With the building sealed to the elements, and the heating system hooked up, work will go on through the winter months, Hayden said.

Novotny said he has been coming to the park since 1963, and is a big supporter of it.

“I love it,” he said. “This park is like the meeting place for the community. This a place where ladies, girls can not be afraid to come. It’s a safe haven for everybody — even them damn geese.”

“This park is a place for the community to walk, picnic — there’s something for everyone here, I think,” Ms. Grasso said.

Another park project, the rehabilitation of the bridge over Lake Julia, should be done in a few weeks, O’Mahony said. The railings are balusters are expected to arrive this week.

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