By Lisa Byers

Meadville Tribune

CONNEAUT LAKE — It’s the late 1970s. A young man is enjoying a romantic walk with his girl along the boardwalk at Conneaut Lake Park. Music is playing softly in the background as the the sun begins to set, creating one of the most beautiful sights across the lake.

Everything is perfect.

Suddenly, as the young couple proceeds arm-and-arm down the waterfront boardwalk, a familiar face appears. It’s the girl the young man had just had a date with earlier in the day.

Stories like that, by a man who did not want to be identified, were being remembered Saturday as work got under way to remove the historic boardwalk that opened in 1936.

“I have plenty of memories,” said Meadville resident Doug Turner, who was overlooking the demolition while attending the park for the Thunder on the Lake cystic fibrosis dice run to benefit 2-year-old Warren (Xander) Love. “But none I can share.”

Crews from Park Resoration LLC were removing a section of the boardwalk on Saturday as the first step in rebuilding the famous 650-foot structure. Conneaut Lake Park officials hope to have the first section of the new boardwalk complete by the time the 117-year-old amusement park opens on Memorial Day weekend.

“The framing underneath was in bad need of repair,” said Greg Sutterlin, who operates Park Restoration LLC, along with Tracy Sutterlin and Steve and Joyce Popovich, “along with the decking. This was something that needed to be done.”

As workers were pulling down the old railing posts, the dilapidated wood was disintegrating in the hands due to the obvious deterioration.

Along with the construction of a new boardwalk, which runs from Hotel Conneaut to the Beach Club, Sutterlin said the retaining wall and backside of the boardwalk will also be replaced. The boardwalk will get new railings and lighting.

For now, the project is limited to a 50-foot portion of the boardwalk closest to the Beach Club until additional money can be raised to complete the project. The project is expected to cost about $180,000. Donations are being requested through the Board by Board Campaign. Boards are being sold for $100 apiece and the name of the donor will be laser-engraved into the decking. The park is also taking donations for benches and handicapped-accessible ramps.

“This is very critical,” said Jack Moyers, chairman of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park. “We’re excited to start this boardwalk construction along with our Board by Board Campaign to get this started. … Getting the park operational this year is a milestone for the trustees and we’re very excited to have that happen.”

Many would agree.

“This place has been missed by a lot of people,” Turner said. “I remember this place used to be busy all the time. This will be a huge benefit to the park for sure. It’s a wonderful thing.”