CANTON — Community donations have helped fund upgrades to the Canton Recreational Pavilion this season, including 18 new wooden chairs that are lined up in the lobby for spectators.

A flat-screen television that will be installed in the upstairs warming room and two radiant heaters in the bleacher stands are other upgrades to the facility on Outer Lincoln Street.

The tall chairs cost $150 each and were sponsored by 15 different groups and individuals, with the names of donors inscribed on the back of each chair.

Sherry L. Stone, a parent who spearheaded the effort to purchase the chairs, said the seats provide a comfortable place for spectators, such as grandparents, who want to stay warm while they watch a hockey game, figure skaters or public skating.

Improvements to the pavilion also might help encourage groups and others to rent the facility, which relies on user fees to supplement funding provided by the town and village boards.

“If we don’t make this place aesthetically pleasing, people aren’t going to want to rent it out,” Mrs. Stone said.

The radiant heaters donated by the Canton Minor Hockey Association have been installed from the ceiling in the bleacher section and were used last weekend during the Canton Central School hockey tournament.

Recreation Director John S. Taillon said any contributions are welcome.

In the spring, a new outdoor rink will be installed using arena boards that previously were used at SUNY Potsdam and donated to Canton.

“Our next big project will be resurfacing the outside rink to make it larger for the new boards,” Mr. Taillon said. “That’s going to be a major project, and we’re going to need some funding help with that.”

The television set was donated by Matt and Linda Randi, Mrs. Stone and her husband, Kenneth L., and the St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club.

Three civic groups donated two chairs each, including the Canton Pee Wee Association, Canton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1231 and the Knights of Columbus.

Donating one chair each were Canton Area Zonta Club, Canton Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank, the Fay family, Heuvelton AmVets Post 1997, Canton Kiwanis Club, LeBerge & Curtis Inc., MAC Sports, Canton NBT Bank, North Country Savings Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Randi and the St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club.

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