If you’re planning to go to Stuart Park to play the piano, you’re out of luck.
Festivals Kelowna announced on Wednesday (Aug. 19) it will be closing the piano at Stuart Park until further notice due to a vandalism incident.
“Seems the Stuart Park piano can’t get a break this summer… it is sadly out of commission for the time being as we work with Keystone Music to get it back in tiptop shape for you all to enjoy,” the non-profit said in a social media post.
A note on the instrument states “this piano is now closed due to inappropriate behaviour and vandalism by a selfish person”.
There is no word yet on when the repairs will be made or when the piano will be back out and open for the public. Festivals Kelowna executive director Renata Mills said it all depends on if repairs can be made for the piano before the program ends for the season.
“Somebody, and we don’t know if it was purposeful or what, broke off the inside workings, the wooden hammers that strike the strings to make the piano work,” she said.
“You would’ve had to purposely lift the front of the piano off and dig your hand in there, reach in and break them off. In my mind, it was pure vandalism and intentional destruction. Which is unfortunate, because this is one of the well-loved and well-used pianos in the program.”
In the meantime, other pianos in parks are available at the Art Walk, Queensway, the Rotary Centre for the Arts, and Roxby Park in Rutland.
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