Paint has been removed from two Lucille Ball statues that were vandalized in October. Work is also underway on a new amenities building being constructed in the village park. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

CELORON — Paint has been removed from two Lucille Ball statues that were vandalized in the village park in October.

Village Mayor Scott Schrecengost said cold weather will delay finishing the restoration of the two statues in Lucille Ball Memorial Park. He said Carolyn Palmer, who sculpted one of the two likenesses of the Celoron native, recently traveled to the village and removed the blue paint believed to have been applied with a marker.

“She did come in and got the paint off of them,” Schrecengost said. “She did the best she could, but with the weather she still has to get the wax, so she’ll come back and finish in the summertime. We’re very happy that she made it out here.”

The Ellicott Police Department on Oct. 4 charged 42-year-old village resident Howard L. McAvoy with second-degree criminal mischief for marking the statues as well as the outside of a bathroom wall within the park. The case has been transferred to Chautauqua County Court due to the charge being a felony.

Schrecengost said the brick bathroom wall will need to be painted in order to cover the vandalism.

Dave Poulin’s statue of the famed actress earned the nickname “Scary Lucy” due to its unflattering looks. Palmer’s version was unveiled at a ceremony in August 2016.

Schrecengost could not provide a dollar amount on how much the restoration will cost.

In other village news, work continues on a new amenities building being constructed in the park. The village board in August approved a bid of $439,500 by the general contracting company G. L. Olson of Dewittville for the project, designed by LaBella Associates.

The mayor said there has been an increase in public use of the park, and partly attributed it to the new Chautauqua Harbor Hotel located nearby. He also said the current bathroom facility was built in the early ’70s and is no longer big enough to accommodate those visiting the park.

“The bathroom that we currently have is so outdated,” Schrecengost said.

The new building, which will also include room for storage, is expected to be completed by next spring when the facilities open for public use. Schrecengost said the current bathroom will undergo renovations as well.

The village is also in the process of renovating the ramps on the boat launch at the village park.