Rush’s lead singer Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson have ensured that their late bandmate, drummer Neil Peart, will be remembered in his hometown. After a six-year effort to raise $1 million for a memorial at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ontario – close to where Peart grew up – Lee and Lifeson recently donated a check for $785,000 to the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force Fundraising sub-committee, bringing them closer to their goal, as reported by CKTB News.
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On their ongoing Fifty Something tour, Rush designated part of the VIP ticket sales for the memorial of their drummer who passed away in 2020 after battling brain cancer; Lee also contributed $1 from every ticket sold during his book tour for his memoir My Effin Life.
“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,” said St. Catharines city manager, community programs and parks Eric Lamothe in a statement about the massive check presented to the fundraising task force after their hometown shows at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Aug. 13.
“This public art memorial will be far more than a tribute to Neil Peart; it elevates the park into a world-class cultural landmark,” he continued. “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.”
The campaign began in 2020 aiming to place either a statue or plaque honoring drummer and lyricist Peart in the park that inspired the song “Lakeside Park” on Rush’s 1975 album Caress of Steel.
Citing CKTB News, there will be staff report presented during an upcoming city council meeting outlining next steps. Morgan Mac Donald from Newfoundland Bronze Foundry has been chosen to design the memorial for what’s now called Neil Peart Pavilion since September 2024. The plan from Mac Donald’s team features two larger-than-life bronze sculptures of Peart connected by pathways offering “experiential and interpretive features providing insight into Peart’s personal and professional legacies, including his time with the band,” according to information from St. Catharines site. The memorial park is expected to open in late 2027.
Check out a rendering of the proposed memorial below.
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