Members of RUSH, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, have generously donated over $700,000 (Canadian) to support the construction of a public memorial for Neil Peart at his favorite childhood park in St. Catharines, Ontario.
According to CKTB News, Lee and Lifeson set aside part of the proceeds from VIP tickets sold during the band’s current “Fifty Something” reunion tour. They managed to contribute $785,000 Canadian dollars (about $557,000 US dollars) to assist the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force fundraising sub-committee in reaching its goal of $1 million. In addition, Lee donated $1 from every ticket sold on his book tour.
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This will allow for a pavilion at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, now named Neil Peart Pavilion, to feature an impressive memorial. The proposed design includes two large bronze sculptures of Peart linked by a pathway lined with facts about his life and career as a drummer. If everything goes according to plan, the memorial is expected to open in late 2027.
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“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.”
Meanwhile, RUSH’s “Fifty Something” North American tour continues this week with two nights in San Antonio and wraps up with a show on December 17th in Vancouver. Tickets for the remaining dates are available here (use code COS20 to get $20 off a first-time purchase of $200 or more).
