Legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart sadly passed away at 67 years old earlier this year after a battle with brain cancer. While tributes to Peart's memory and legacy have been numerous, Port Dalhousie, Ontario has paid special tribute to Peart. The community has dedicated a pavilion at Lakeside Park to Peart, now named the Neil Peart Pavilion. This is doubly fitting considering Rush has a song named after the park on their 1975 record Caress of Steel.
Here's what Port Dalhousie council member Bruce Williamson had to say about the new pavilion name to the St. Catharine's Standard.
"The public voting on naming is obviously fairly conclusive. Neil Peart's been one of our most famous local individuals, and a lot of his songs have local roots, including the namesake park."
Even better, the proposal to name the pavilion after Peart contained lyrics from the song!
"Staff recommend that the Neil Peart Pavilion is a fitting name to complement the history of Lakeside Park's 'willows in the breeze; Lakeside Park's so many memories with laughing rides, midway lights and shining stars on summer nights.'"
R.I.P. Neil. Thanks for everything.
