BUTLER TWP — A Meridian teen's Eagle Scout project was built on a foundation of memories.

Jordon Surkosky, 16, completed the majority of his Eagle Scout project Oct. 30 in Preston Park, 415 South Eberhart Road, Butler Township.

Surkosky, a sophomore at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, began planning his pavilion in January 2015. He said he picked Preston Park because it was close to his own home, and he and his family had fond memories in the park.

“The first day that I met (Dave) Heltzell was also the day my great-grandmother (Gertrude 'Bumpy' James) passed away,” he said. “We had the meeting date set long before she became so ill, and he was very appreciative that I kept my obligation to attend.”

“As a result, he offered me to name the pavilion in honor of her, and I knew then it was the right choice,” Surkosky said.

David Heltzell, a volunteer for Butler Township, was Surkosky's mentor for the pavilion project.

“That very first day, it was a very tough day for him,” Heltzell said.

He said he admired Jordon's determination and couldn't help but support the naming of the pavilion.

Surkosky named the structure the Sunshine Pavilion. He decided on the name because his great-grandmother had always said, “A day without Jordon was like a day without sunshine.”

“He wanted to do something she would be proud of,” Heltzell said.

With a name in mind, Jordon continued his plans, leading to three scheduled days of building the pavilion during a six-week period. A few details, such as painting, still need to be completed when weather allows.

Complications arose, Heltzell said, after township officials tweaked the original plans, opting for a concrete patio rather than gravel. Jordon's responsibility would then begin after the concrete patio was completed by the Butler Township Road Department.

Heltzell said planning and building to commercial code demanded more hours, but through it all Surkosky continued to concentrate on the end result.

“He showed a lot of patience and perseverance,” he said.

Surkosky said he hadn't expected the planning to take so much effort.

“I didn't realize how the process worked or how much time it took before even the first nail was put in,” he said. “We had to present blueprints to the township engineer, Mr. Jim Diamond, who was extremely helpful.”

Surkosky said he received help from many Scouts from his troop, Connoquenessing Troop 482, and their parents in the building.

He said Preston Park volunteers and various members of the community also assisted.

Surkosky said the project also was made possible through the fundraising, which is a requirement of the process. He said many local businesses contributed.

“Now that the pavilion is useful for the visitors to the park,” he said. “I'm extremely glad that I chose to do the project at Preston.”

According to Heltzell, the project cost around $3,000; and, although the funds raised were just shy of that goal, he knows Jordon still has a few opportunities to meet that challenge.

Heltzell said Surkosky's project has given the park its first covered picnic area.

“For the first time, we have a picnic shelter rather than just picnic tables in the park,” Heltzell said. “If it starts to rain, (park visitors) have some place to go other than their cars.”

“For me this project was a huge learning experience,” Surkosky said. “I would like to give special thanks to my mentor, Mr. Dave Heltzell, my father, Stu Surkosky, and the many volunteers that came to help.”