The City Council got its first good look at the latest plans for the Foley Family Community Pavilion last week, and despite some questions about abandoning legacy events from the Plaza altogether, the council liked what it saw.
As presented by Facilities and Events Supervisor Matt Milde, and Senior Services Supervisor Anna Grant, the new Pavilion is close to operation, not only in terms of construction but planning. It will have power, restrooms and free wifi during events, a scullery for food prep, alcohol allowed with an ABC permit and capability for amplified sound as well.
Its hours of operation are scheduled to be 6am to 10pm daily, with “passive use” available outside of events; its parking lot will be available for public use, unless reserved for an event. Though many hoped the Pavilion would go into operation before the end of the current Farmers’ Market season on Dec. 20, that is not to happen.
A handful of events will continue to operate with City of Healdsburg co-sponsorship in the Plaza: Tuesdays in the Plaza, Merry Healdsburg, Dia de Muertos, the Fourth of July Celebration including the Parade & Duck Dash, Sundays in the Plaza and any unanticipated community events, such as in the wake of the Kincaid fire.
No formal date has been set for an official opening but many are looking forward to it before the end of the year.
Types of events that will take place at the Pavilion are split between standard events, under 1,000 people, that don’t need security beyond a standard staff presence; and larger events that are more staff-intensive. The Pavilion will have security cameras operational 24/7, and be patrolled by the police department.
In keeping with its original intent, the Pavilion will be the new home of the Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest of its kind in the state.
Other city-sponsored or city-partnered events will also take place at the North Street location, once a produce-packaging building that dates back over a century. But the City Council, and staff, made it clear that the point of the new open-air facility is to move events off the Plaza as much as possible, if not entirely.
Only the June 2026 Juneteenth celebration in the Plaza, long booked and scheduled by Healdsburg Jazz, was given an exception, on the theory that the caliber of artists the Jazz Festival brings to town requires advance booking, and to change the venue just over half a year from the contracted date is unrealistic.
Objections raised
That did not always sit well with the public. Shalie Jonker, the board chair of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market, asked that the Tuesday market remain in the Plaza, at least on a one-year, interim basis. “This delay would allow us to build awareness, momentum and community habituation in the new space,” she said during her three minutes of public comment. She balanced that with a strong pitch for cooperation and support as the Farmers’ Market transitions to the Pavilion.
Jennifer Weiss of the Boys and Girls Club argued that the 80-year tradition of a fall Crush on the Plaza as their major fundraiser should be allowed to continue. Then she turned hardball, tabulating the number of visitors and the revenue they brought to the youth clubs, and saying they had looked at other locations for the annual event. “If we’re unable to have it on the Plaza, we think we’ll be unable to stay in Healdsburg,” she said. “That would be unfortunate for the community and certainly the kids we serve.”
In response, Community Services Director Mark Themig spoke at length on the planning and purpose of the Foley Family Community Center, calling attention too to the poor condition of the Plaza turf in the weeks following the Crush and Dia de Muertos.
Councilmember David Hagele made it a point to address Weiss, of the Boys and Girls Club. “You’re an important part of the Healdsburg community … the Foley Family Pavilion is a real opportunity, and working with our staff I’m sure you can come up with a beautiful plan that will be successful.”
He added, “Our staff is very good at being creative, I completely trust them to find a way to make it work … . There’s going to be new inspiration coming from the new location.”
