Richard Glover, who moved to Warsaw in 1959, officially displayed his appreciation for the city Tuesday during the ceremonial ground-breaking for the Glover Pavilion in Central Park.

The event marks the beginning of construction which will double the size of the park's main stage and create a permanent covering for the area. Track lighting inside the shelter will be installed, as well as an additional loading ramp on the northeast side of the stage. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-December.

Glover, 91, and his daughter, Jane Glover-McInnis, worked together with John Elliott, trust officer of 1st Source Bank, to create a unique and beneficial plan that would show their gratitude for the community and meet their "charitable dreams."

McInnis said she and her father have fond memories of the Central Park area, and are glad to see their efforts will benefit both musicians and audiences that attend the location.

"I'm delighted we can do something special for Warsaw that involves music," McInnis said. "We're very pleased that we can do this while we're both here to see it."

Before deciding to build the pavilion, the family wished to construct an auditorium for Warsaw, but opted instead for the Central Park facility after Warsaw Community High School began construction of its auditorium.

Glover, who owned and operated Glover Furniture, also became the founding board president of the Greater Warsaw Community Foundation in 1968, which later reorganized and expanded to become the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. The Glover family created a fund at the foundation to pay for the project's expenses.

During the ceremony, Glover was little talk and all smiles as friends, family, foundation members and local business owners applauded his generosity.

"This will be great for Central Park and great for Warsaw," Mayor Ernie Wiggins said. "It's people like (Glover) who give back to the community that makes this such a great place to live."

Elliot, who introduced Glover during the ground-breaking, also thanked Glover for what he called "providing the grease to get the job done."

"I've known the Glovers since I started at the bank, and seeing their love for Warsaw and their want to benefit everyone, it's simply amazing," Elliot said. "I couldn't be happier with how this has worked out."

"We're thrilled to see something blossom here," McInnis said. "He has such a fond feeling for this community." [[In-content Ad]]