New open-air pavilion will replace Excelsior s familiar old band shell Fans, critics debate the aesthetic, acoustic and nostalgic qualities of the old and new designs. February 27, 2021 4:18pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Excelsior s concrete band shell a plain but popular outdoor music venue that held a prime spot in the city s big lakeside park since the classic-rock era is gone. It will be replaced by an open-air pavilion designated for concerts and other gatherings, movie screenings and events.
The $1.2 million pavilion is the first on a list of upgrades planned for the Commons, Excelsior s 13-acre public park on Lake Minnetonka. Construction is scheduled to start in March, with completion expected in July. The old band shell which opened on July 4, 1976, celebrating the country s bicentennial was demolished last week.