A Lehighton youth has completed his Eagle Scout Project in a big way.

Family and friends joined Scout Landon Abelovsky during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the Baer Memorial Park Pavilion.

Landon constructed the 16-foot by 20-foot pavilion on a concrete foundation in the park, which is named after Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Baer, who donated the 17 acres of land to the borough in 1948.

Landon is the son of borough police Chief Troy Abelovsky and borough Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky.

Autumn Abelovsky welcomed those in attendance and noted she had the privilege of being there in multiple capacities.

“As a borough council member, I am so pleased when the youth of our community come forward to volunteer and offer projects of this sort for the betterment of our town,” Abelovsky said. “As a mom, I can’t even put into words my pride.”

She remembers when Landon won a camp mess kit “and from that moment he was hooked.”

“Early on in his Scouting journey, when he learned what an Eagle Scout was, he set a goal to become one,” she said. “It’s been an honor being the mom of a young man who has grown up to be so well-rounded.”

She said Landon has continued through all the ranks of Scouting, played sports, volunteered for the community and maintained grades that have gotten him accepted into his top three college choices, along with his Eagle Scout project.

“He has made our family very proud,” she said.

When Landon presented his idea to the Minsi Trails Council, they were initially apprehensive to approve such a large-scale project.

“They may have had some doubt,” she said, “but they approved the project anyway, and as you can see he succeeded in a big way.”

Autumn Abelovsky also acknowledged everyone “who put their support into a teenager,” including fellow borough council members and Mayor Ryan Saunders, as well as the engineer, site developers, concrete team and building crew.

She then turned things over to Saunders.

The mayor said that Landon displayed perseverance, as even when things didn’t always go as planned he remained focused.

“When progress seemed to stall, you didn’t,” Saunders said.

Landon then addressed the audience.

“When I came up with this ideas as my Eagle Scout project over four years ago, I never expected it to take this long to complete,” he said. “I learned a lot along the way; probably the biggest lesson I learned was that nothing is easy or fast when dealing with municipal government. But here we are, and I can finally say it’s complete.”

Landon acknowledged that he had plenty of help along the way, and took the time to thank all who supported him and his project.

“First, I would like to start with those that gave monetary donations to fund the concrete, pavilion and picnic tables,” Landon said. “They are displayed here on the plaque, but I would like to thank then now as well.”

Landon said his $20,000 Platinum Level Sponsors are his great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arlington and Patricia Everett.

“The idea of this pavilion started when my pappy was still alive,” said Landon, who added that he passed away three years ago. “I know he is proud of the work I did here and the contribution to the community. My mammy couldn’t be here due to health reasons, but she has been down to check it out because she said that she couldn’t wait to see it finished.”

Landon mentioned his $100 and more Gold Level Sponsors, which include the Borough of Lehighton, as well as the Parks & Recreation Board; Remington & Vernick Engineers; Flexer Masonry; and his parents.

“They were by my side for every part of this project and encouraged me when things seemed to move slow or a problem arose,” Landon said of his parents. “I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Landon also recognized his $500 Silver Level Sponsor, George’s Transportation Company Inc.; his $250 Bronze Level sponsors, which include Lehighton Masonic Lodge No. 621; Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home; Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1 Inc.; Bennett Family Properties LLC; Mason’s Cold Beer Too; Mauch Chunk Trust Company; and his grandmother, Sherry Everett.

“I also received smaller, but just as important, gestures of help along the way, which I also want to acknowledge,” Landon said.

He said Marzen’s Feed & Hardware donated grass seed to fix the excavation site.

Ateira’s on First donated snacks for Wednesday’s ceremony.

He thanked the crews of the borough’s Public Works and L&P Departments, and borough recreation director Tom Evans; Jacob Dohmen and Tim Stahl, the borough’s code enforcement officers who helped speed up the process when they could and made getting the permits smooth and easy; and borough treasurer Cathy Smith, who kept the books, monitored the donations and paid Landon’s bills throughout the project.

Landon purchased the pavilion kit at Amish Country Gazebos, of Manheim, who assisted him in the build.

Fellow Scouts and leaders from Troop 2009 helped in building and staining the picnic tables.