Rush donation completes fundraising for Lakeside Park memorial
St. Catharines — A major donation from members of Rush has pushed a campaign to build a permanent memorial to drummer Neil Peart in St. Catharines past its $1‑million goal, city officials and the memorial task force said.
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson presented a $785,000 cheque to the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force and City of St. Catharines staff. That contribution, drawn in part from proceeds generated by VIP experiences and packages sold during Rush’s Fifty Something tour, completed the fundraising campaign for the planned installation beside the existing Neil Peart Pavilion at Lakeside Park.
What the memorial will look like
The municipal project will be built next to the pavilion where Peart spent summers growing up in nearby Port Dalhousie — experiences that inspired Rush’s 1975 song “Lakeside Park.” The installation, designed by sculptor Morgan MacDonald of The Newfoundland Bronze Foundry, will include two bronze sculptures depicting Peart at different points in his life. The sculptures will be connected by a pathway featuring interpretive and experiential elements intended to explore both his personal story and his musical legacy.
Fundraising timeline and remaining dates
The campaign to raise funds began following Peart’s death on Jan. 7, 2020. Over the intervening years, fans and supporters contributed, and Lee previously pledged $1 from every ticket sold during his 2023 My Effin’ Life book tour toward the effort. City staff say the fundraising drive will officially close on Oct. 15, though the $1‑million target has been met with Lee and Lifeson’s cheque.
- Rush donation: $785,000 from Lee and Lifeson (partly from VIP packages on Fifty Something tour)
- Other contributions: Fans, supporters and prior pledges including Lee’s $1 per ticket commitment
- Project site: Beside the Neil Peart Pavilion, Lakeside Park, St. Catharines
- Expected opening: Late 2027
Financial breakdown
City staff say the Rush cheque brought the campaign to its $1‑million goal. Based on the announced figures, the overall fundraising can be summarised as follows:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Donation from Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson | $785,000 |
| Other donations and pledges (fans, prior commitments) | $215,000 |
| Total | $1,000,000 |
“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 Eric Lamothe, St. Catharines city manager for Community Programs and Parks.
Local significance and next steps
The memorial will be a visible acknowledgement of Peart’s ties to the city and his influence on rock music. Peart, who died at 67, was born in Hamilton on Sept. 12, 1952, and grew up in Port Dalhousie. The Lakeside Park site ties directly to the band’s catalogue and local memory — the song “Lakeside Park” appears on Rush’s 1975 album Caress of Steel.
With the fundraising target reached, the city now moves into the project delivery phase. Officials currently expect the memorial to be completed and opened to the public in late 2027, giving time for fabrication, site preparation and installation of the interpretive elements that will accompany the sculptures.
For residents, the project closes a multi‑year chapter of fundraising and planning while creating a new public landmark that links St. Catharines’ waterfront, local history and an international music legacy.
