From left, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown; Patrick McLaughlin, Ellicott town supervisor; Chris Bauer, representative from the state office of planning and development; Kate Burnett, Celoron village trustee; Scott Schrecengost, Celoron village mayor; Lisa Vanstrom, county legislator; Mary Keeney, Celoron village trustee; George Borrello, county executive; Norm Mattison, Celoron village trustee; Katrina Fuller, representative for the office of U.S. Rep. Tom Reed; and Mark Odell, county legislator, cut the ribbon in front of the newly unveiled boardwalk at Lucille Ball Memorial Park. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

CELORON — With a newly dedicated boardwalk, local politicians gathered at Lucille Ball Memorial Park on Monday to express optimism for the future of community development and tourism around Chautauqua Lake.

“We’re a growing village, and we plan on continuing this path,” Celoron Village Mayor Scott Schrecengost said after the ribbon-cutting ceremony that unveiled the new boardwalk on the north end of the park.

Other local and regional politicians, including Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown; County Executive George Borrello, Ellicott Town Supervisor Patrick McLaughlin and other county and village representatives, helped celebrate the occasion.

“This is really a monumental moment,” Borrello said. “It really is something now that is connecting this boardwalk and the park to the beautiful Chautauqua Harbor Hotel and to beautiful Chautauqua Lake. Celoron has really had a resurgence lately.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was proceeded by the donations and dedications of 10 new park benches, all of which Schrecengost said are tied to important members of Celoron’s community, both past and present.

“Our former mayor (John Keeney), followed up by our current mayor and trustees, took that vision and made it a reality,” Goodell said. “Congratulations to everyone who played a major role in completely transforming Celoron.”

Goodell said further that the original statue meant to depict Lucille Ball, which garnered national attention for its appearance, was part of the reason why more positivity flourished in Celoron. He said the publicity helped the village eventually host a new statue in the park and further develop the lakefront area.

“It’s just so great to see such a renaissance here in Celoron,” said Katrina Fuller, who represented the office of U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, when she delivered a certificate during the ceremony.

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