The new Bde Maka Ska Pavilion area reopened today, Friday, October 20, 2023! This high-profile lakeside attraction at 3000 E Bde Maka Ska Parkway has been completely rebuilt and expanded over the last 15 months.
The $6.5 million project features two new buildings totaling 4,400 square feet that host a restaurant and market from the team behind Pimento Jamaican Kitchen, Indigenous art, and the return of naval artifacts that were previously displayed at the lake. Other highlights include outdoor seating for up to 250 people, 3,000 square feet of outdoor covered space with ceiling-mounted heaters, a small performance stage, upgraded landscaping and trail safety, and a six-stall restroom area that will be available year-round.
“We could not be more excited to open the new Bde Maka Ska Pavilion and provide another welcoming, open space in our park system,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura. “As beloved as the original pavilion was, I believe this new building will quickly become a favorite gathering space and a Minneapolis icon.”
The former Bde Maka Ska concessions pavilion, also called a “refectory,” was built in 1930 and was operated seasonally until it burned down in 2019. The new pavilion area was designed by a team led by Cuningham.
“We’d like to thank the partners who contributed to make this project possible, including Louis King, Tomme Beevas and the Pimento Jamaican Kitchen team, Cuningham, Concrete Pig with Juxtaposition Arts, Hennepin Theater Trust, Native American Community Development Institute and the muralists, artist Adrienne Zimiga-January, who created the ‘We are on Dakota / Native Land’ decals, Morcon Construction, and, of course, the dedicated Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff members who spent countless hours making this a reality,” said MPRB President Meg Forney. “It was truly a team effort.”
“I am thrilled the Bde Maka Ska Pavilion and restaurant are back!” added MPRB District 4 Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer. “It’s an important site for the local community and a major regional attraction for our city as the Chain of Lakes is the second-most visited destination in Minnesota.”
Pimento on the Lake and Pimento Market
Two new buildings will each host distinct experiences from Pimento Jamaican Kitchen.
Pimento on the Lake
Pimento on the Lake is a new lakeside restaurant offering beach-inspired twists on Pimento Jamaican Kitchen’s authentic, award-winning Jamaican cuisine and libations. It will remain open in the north building at the pavilion site for as long as demand will sustain it this fall/winter.
“We’re bringing the magic of Jamaica to the shores of Bde Maka Ska! This is an amazing opportunity to showcase our authentic, award-winning cuisine and host lively lakeside events at one of the most iconic and picturesque places in Minneapolis,” said Tomme Beevas, Chief Strategic Officer of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen.
Pimento joined forces with the team behind Lola on the Lake, which operated the Bde Maka Ska concessions building before it burned down, to create Pimento on the Lake.
“I’m really excited about being a part this next chapter of concessions at Bde Maka Ska,” said Louis King with Lola’s on the Lake. “The Park Board and Pimento have partnered with Lola’s to bring a world-class concept to the lake and region. I applaud the efforts.”
Menu items include rice and plantain bowls with jerk chicken, braised oxtail and other Pimento favorites, alongside a new beach menu with mac ‘n’ cheese bites, fried shrimp, fries, hot dogs, a jerk burger and a black bean veggie burger. Beer and wine are also available for purchase.
Pimento Market
Pimento Market offers a curated selection of goods, gifts and treats from local BIPOC businesses and entrepreneurs. It will be open year-round in the south building at the pavilion site and may serve hot food and drinks during colder months.
“We’re proud to support BIPOC entrepreneurs, celebrate their talents, and offer a platform for their products to shine,” said Beevas. “Our market will be more than just a place to shop; it’s a cultural experience to foster unity and showcase the rich tapestry of talent in Minnesota.”
Follow Pimento on the Lake (Facebook/Instagram) and Pimento Market (Facebook/Instagram) for updates and more information, and visit pimento.com to sign up for email updates and offers!
Pavilion Area Highlights
The entire pavilion area was renovated in addition to the construction of the two new buildings. Highlights:
- Ample outdoor seating areas, including a new community table designed by a Youth Apprentice with Juxtapostion Arts
- Small performance stage
- Improved trail safety and 51 bike parking stalls, 33 more than the previous pavilion
- All-gender indoor restroom area with six stalls, including one fully accessible stall with an adult changing table
- Redesigned landscaping with native plants, trees and flowers
- Rebuilt boat launch
Public Art and Memorials
Native Art
A new mural was recently painted on north building thanks to a partnership with the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI), and Hennepin Theatre Trust (HTT).
NACDI and HTT have an ongoing collaborative program called We Are Still Here, a multiyear partnership creating large-scale, high-profile public artworks in the Twin Cities. The mural on the Bde Maka Ska Refectory building is the capstone project for the emerging and mentor artists in the current round of the We Are Still Here program, which is funded in partnership with the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota State Arts Board – Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment.
In addition, Dakota language signs are found on steel columns throughout the buildings, including decals designed by artist Adrienne Zimiga-January.
Bell and Wheel
Two naval artifacts – the Wheel from USS Minneapolis and Bell from USS Minnesota – have returned to the shores of Bde Maka Ska in a new display in the south building (Pimento Market).
The American Legion gifted the Bell of the USS Minneapolis to the MPRB in 1928 and the Wheel from the USS Minnesota in 1932. The Navy Memorial next to the pavilion site displayed these naval artifacts for decades, where annual Memorial Day services were also held.
These artifacts were temporarily hosted by Minnetonka Public Schools and MPRB Headquarters before returning at the new pavilion area.
Project History
The former building at the site, originally called a “refectory,” was engulfed in flames on May 16, 2019 and torn down 12 days later. After that, the site was paved over to provide a temporary gathering space and utilities were repaired to restore temporary functionality to the area.
The Bde Maka Ska-Harriet Master Plan, approved in 2017, provided guidance for the new pavilion site. A team led by Cuningham designed the pavilion area and buildings.
The design process included the Cuningham team working with MPRB staff and local organizations that frequently use the area, as well and an iterative public feedback process. Two concepts were published for public comment in March 2021, then the concept was refined with the feedback received and a single concept was published in April 2021. A public hearing on the final concept design and vote by MPRB Commissioners took place in May 2021.
The design team finalized schematic design and created construction documents throughout 2021 and published the project for construction bids in winter 2021-2022. A construction contract was awarded to Morcon Construction in May 2022 and work started later that month. The site was under continuous construction for 17 months and the rebuilt pavilion area reopened in October 2023.