RUSH members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have cut a check for more than $700,000 (Canadian) to ensure that a Neil Peart public memorial gets built at the late drummer’s favorite childhood park in St. Catharines, Ontario.
As CKTB News reports, Lee and Lifeson had earmarked a portion of the proceeds from VIP tickets to the band’s current “Fifty Something” reunion tour, and were able to donate $785,000 Canadian dollars (roughly $557,000 US dollars) to help the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force fundraising sub-committee reach its $1 million goal. Additionally, Lee had donated $1 from every ticket sold during his book tour.
As a result, a pavilion at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines that has already been renamed Neil Peart Pavilion will feature an elaborate memorial, with a proposed concept calling for two massive bronze sculptures of Peart that will be connected by a pathway that will be graced with factoids about the drummer’s life and career. If all goes as planned, the memorial will open in late 2027.
“After years of dedicated work by the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force and the incredible community support that brought us near the finish line, this remarkable contribution from RUSH secures our $1-million fundraising goal,” stated Eric Lamothe, City Manager, Community Programs and Parks.
He added, “This public art memorial will be far more than a tribute to Neil Peart; it elevates the park into a world-class cultural landmark. We are thrilled to see a space that is already a beloved destination for residents and tourists become a global beacon for enthusiastic music fans to gather, reflect, and celebrate an icon for generations to come.”
