Buffalo Grove band shelter named after Dan Schimmel

The Buffalo Grove Park District will kick off the 2015 Summer Concert Series Tuesday, June 23, with the dedication of a new band shelter that bears the name of recently retired executive director Dan Schimmel.

The shelter was built as part of the Willow Stream Park redevelopment project that began last year. At Schimmel's retirement party in December, the park board announced it would be known as the Dan Schimmel Pavilion.

"I am so honored by this thoughtful gesture," said Schimmel. "I think back to the many years the staff, board and foundation had dreams of putting a pavilion at this location to improve the summer concert experience and to create a wonderful space for parties and events.

"To see this dream come to reality is tremendous; and to have the pavilion named after me is humbling."

The dedication will begin at 6:45 p.m. There will be complimentary frozen custard from Culver's of Buffalo Grove for the first 300 people in attendance.

The concert will feature local rock band Industrial Drive, with two band members who have close ties to Schimmel. Guitar player Ed Nowak builds sets for the district's theater productions and drummer Mike Terson is the district's public relations and marketing manager. Schimmel, who is also a guitar player, will be sitting in with the band for the first half-hour of the show.

"We have some great songs planned, and, I think the crowd is going to be impressed when they hear Dan play with the band," said Terson. "Dan has come to a few of our rehearsals and he is definitely ready."

Willow Stream Park is at 651 Old Checker Road in Buffalo Grove, just west of Buffalo Grove Road. For details about the concert series, visit bgparks.org.