Where will Berkshire Carousel be located?

The Decision Process

Where is the Berkshire carousel going to be located? Since the carousel carving and artwork for the carousel and the frame are anticipated to be completed early in 2013, there needs to be a place to set it up to operate by the summer? Will it be in Pittsfield? Will it be in Lanesborough? Or will it be some place else?

On February 10, 2012 the Berkshire Eagle published a lead article suggesting that the future home of the carousel might be in the Berkshire Mall. This article got the attention of Pittsfield’s new Mayor, Dan Bianchi.  Those that thought the carousel would happen just assumed it would naturally be located in Pittsfield.  Now it became apparent that there were other alternatives than Pittsfield. As a result the Mayor mustered forces, held a number of meetings with Downtown Pittsfield business people and came up with a proposal that was detailed in the Berkshire Eagle on July 31, 2012. Considerable pro and con “bloggers” have since offered opinions about this proposal and the Pittsfield vs. Lanesborough location. (See the links at the end of this article.)

The Berkshire Carousel Board of Directors will very soon have to make a decision on the location in order to open in 2013.  Recognizing that this volunteer project is “of, for and by the people” of the community, the Board has solicited considerable input from those who are building the carousel and those who have sponsored this art masterpiece.  The carousel is in its final year of completion and in four plus years has made it without any public or governmental funds and no major corporate donations. It has been funded primarily through private donations, fund-raisers, in-kind services, sponsorships and hours and hours of volunteer time by people who recognize that the carousel is more than an “amusement ride”.

More than an Amusement Ride

Ohio resident, Jim Shulman, who grew up in Pittsfield in the 1950s and 1960s, has always loved the Berkshires. He was inspired by the late Christopher Reeve’s commencement address at Williams College in 1999 hearing the message that it is important to remember your community. Jim wanted to do something for his hometown and his wife Jackie came up with the idea of organizing and training community members to build a classical carousel. This had only been done in one or two other places in this country. 

Jim remembered how Pittsfield was a factory town with the General Electric Company being the area’s major employer with over 12,000 employees at one time.  These employees and their families were the backbone of the community and made Pittsfield and nearby towns prosperous and bustling communities after WW II.  After the GE began downsizing, many of the former workers and their families remained in the area and continued to experience difficult times due to economic and related stresses. Pittsfield’s downtown as a shopping mecca died and only recently has “perked up” with an emphasis on art and culture.  Restoration of the old theaters, adding new restaurants and art galleries and holding art and other events have all been positive for the City. However, many of those who grew up and lived and worked in the city and nearby towns during the heyday of the GE were unable to contribute to the beautiful theater restorations or art projects taking place. As Pittsfield has been evolving into a new cultural arts mecca many of these longtime area residents can rarely afford to attend the great shows, eat at the new restaurants or purchase art items from the art galleries. Yet these residents remain a vital part of the community.

Jim and Jackie recognized that all community members needed an opportunity to feel a part of their community, have an affordable way to give back to their community and have a sense of legacy. The Berkshire Carousel project would be a way to involve people of all means in the  Pittsfield/Berkshire community and a way they could contribute to their community, e.g., with their time and enthusiasm. The process of creating New England’s largest volunteer based permanent art piece would be their gift back to their home in the Berkshires.

The Most Important Factors in Locating the Carousel

The Berkshire Carousel Board of Directors has received some very generous proposals from several community leaders to locate it in their community. However, it is very important that these leaders understand that the Berkshire Carousel is not a purchasable commodity and that it is much more than an entertaining amusement ride. The involvement of the volunteers and sponsors in creating and operating the carousel and the shared legacy are what the Berkshire Carousel is about. It is not only about a ride and not only about the money to build or restore a building. 

The answer to the question of where Berkshire Carousel will be located depends on a number of factors besides the cost of housing it. These include

1. Respect for and confidence in the volunteers, the staff, the Board and the founders and all those who are creating this work of art,

2. Understanding the role of the volunteer community in the operation of the carousel and future carousel projects,

3. Accessibility (by foot, bus, car, etc.)

4. 4.Safety and security,
   

5. Adequate traffic for year around operation,  

6. Adequate and easy parking,

7. Interest by other businesses for collaborative efforts,

8. Opportunity for more than a single destination visit,

9. Space for enhancing operating income in addition to ride ticket sales, e.g., party area, educational events, exhibits, gift shop, food concession area, art gallery, etc., and

10. Assistance in developing an endowment fund.

These factors and the involvement by the community in rallying behind the carousel will help make the decision easier on where Berkshire Carousel will call its home and set the stage to create memories for generations to come.

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Links to related articles

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_21196057/bianchi-offers-grant-try-and-lure-berkshire-carousel

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/41394/Bianchi-Wants-Berkshire-Carousel-In-Pittsfield.html

http://planetvalenti.com/2012/07/bianchis-carousel-offer-well-intended-but-doesnt-add-up-plop-plop-fizz-fizz-some-nauseating-numbers-of-pittsfields-dubious-budget-transfers-another-bump-in-the-road-or-w/

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Coloring Contest is Popular

Winners are announced for the recently held coloring contest for grade school visitors to the workshop. Participants selected a picture of a favorite horse to color and all of the completed works were excellent. The winners will all get a pass to ride on the Berkshire Carousel once it is operational.

(Teri Davis poses with the Grand Winners above)

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