Addition to Farmer’s Market aims to provide better sense of community

The Morgantown Market Place, located on the corner of Spruce and Fayette streets, has begun long-awaited construction on a new, covered outdoor pavilion.

"I love the fact that we are finally going to have a roof over our heads," said Lisa Lagana, the market manager. "People love to come to the market – even in the rain – but they just don’t look nearly as happy when it’s raining."

Plans for the pavilion include a rain garden, portable restroom, a donor wall with bricks recognizing the project’s top contributors and an outdoor kitchen for live cooking demonstrations.

"We’re hoping to allow it to become an event pavilion, so that things other than the market can be there," Lagana said.

The farmers market offers a diverse collection of foods and goods from more than 30 vendors and gathers every Saturday morning May through October, in addition to select weekends during the winter.

The Market Place’s main goal is to bring the freshest produce and a better sense of community to Morgantown.

Lagana said she hopes the addition will improve the overall atmosphere of the market.

"I think this will improve the overall environment of the market," she said. "I’m excited about the outdoor kitchen and the culinary demonstrations – we’ve always had hopes of doing that. With the outdoor kitchen, we’ll be able to show people what to do and hopefully improve the lifestyles of people in the community."

The market has been working closely with agencies like Main Street Morgantown, the Morgantown Parking Authority and the Greater Morgantown Trust to ensure the project runs smoothly for its July 28 grand opening.

Lagana said she encourages West Virginia University students to take advantage of the market.

"It’s not as expensive as you might think. I’ve found that the prices are comparable to those at Wal-Mart. What we offer is fresher, cheaper and better for you," she said.

For more information, visit www.downtownmorgantown.com/mmp/