Alumni > Linda Bahtiarian Demarest Pavilion
Linda Bahtiarian Demarest
For many years the Board of Directors have discussed the need for a multi-purpose outdoor pavilion to replace the “old pool” made obsolete with the advent of the big new swimming pool opened in 2002. In early 2005 the Board committed to building a 4,000 square foot outdoor, open-air pavilion on the old pool site. The new pavilion will serve as the cornerstone structure at the entrance to the lower camp, providing a sheltered location for camper activities as well as outdoor dining and social events. It will also serve as a wonderful place for parents and visitors to gather on arrival, departure and visiting days. The pavilion will greatly improve the appearance of the camp with this attractive facility overlooking beautiful Uncas Pond.
The “Alumni Pavilion”, as it was first called, is scheduled for summer 2007 dedication and use. At an anticipated cost of about $170,000, fundraising was kicked off in 2005 with the Armenian Youth Foundation awarding the camp a $25,000 grant, and design and exploration began immediately. In keeping with that same commitment to camp facility improvement, a $25,000 gift was received from the Leo Boodakian Trust of Detroit, MI at the end of 2005 followed by a $10,000 donation the following summer from the Armenian American Veterans of Milford, MA.
And the giving has continued. The Bahtiarian Family has been an active part of camp life for many years. Dorothy Bahtiarian was committed to an Armenian camp experience for her four children, and now her grandchildren. Her daughter, Linda Bahtiarian Demarest followed in that tradition by sending young Kaitlin and Mickey to camp. This past August 21, 2006 Linda lost a valiant five-year battle with breast cancer at the age of 39. Generously, she directed a portion of her estate toward the construction of the pavilion. With Linda’s thoughtful gift as the foundation, the entire Bahtiarian family has committed to being the principal donors of the largest building built at Camp Haiastan in over twenty years, The Linda Bahtiarian Demarest Pavilion. This is a living memorial honoring a woman who cherished Camp Haiastan. Given its prominent location at the entrance to the children’s camp, and impressive size, the pavilion will be a meaningful memorial to Linda.
With $120,000 already raised, the Camp Haiastan Board of Directors has recently announced that the pavilion project is underway, and a fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the final $50,000 to complete the project (click here to make a donation). The Board has selected an array of experienced contractors to complete this project. Dan Amorello Services of Whitinsville, MA has demolished the old pool and prepare the site in January 2007. Icon Shelter Systems of Zeeland, MI is building the steel structure in their factory in February and shipping it to Camp Haiastan in March. On April 1st, C.B. Construction of Natick, MA will pour concrete footings and the slab floor, then erect the pavilion and complete the structure. O’Brien and Sons of Medfield, MA will oversee the project and ensure its completion by June 1, 2007.
