Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Legendary Canadian rock band Rush and their dedicated fan base have officially reached the $1 million fundraising goal for the Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ontario, as per Blabbermouth. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson personally presented a $785,000 check to the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force Fundraising Sub-Committee and city staff following their August 13 concert at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
The massive donation was made possible through Rush’s “Fifty Something” tour, where the band earmarked a portion of VIP package proceeds for the project, directly linking fans to the public monument honoring the late iconic drummer. Further funding was generated during Lee’s fall 2023 “My Effin’ Life” book tour, which donated $1 from every ticket sold. The campaign will officially close on October 15, 2026, offering a final, limited opportunity for fans to purchase commemorative engraved panels to leave their own permanent personal tributes at the site.
After years of dedicated work by the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force and the incredible community support that brought us near the finish line, this remarkable contribution from RUSH secures our $1-million fundraising goal. This public art memorial will be far more than a tribute to Neil Peart; it elevates the park into a world-class cultural landmark. We are thrilled to see a space that is already a beloved destination for residents and tourists become a global beacon for enthusiastic music fans to gather, reflect, and celebrate an icon for generations to come. – Eric Lamothe, City Manager, Community Programs and Parks
The Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force was officially established by the St. Catharines City Council following the iconic drummer’s passing on January 7, 2020. The task force formally kicked off its public fundraising campaign in September 2024 during a launch event at Lakeside Park, setting out to create a lasting public artwork in his memory.
Following a competitive selection process in late 2022, sculptor Morgan MacDonald of The Newfoundland Bronze Foundry (Morgan Sculpture Inc.) was chosen to design the monument alongside the Neil Peart Pavilion at Lakeside Park. The winning concept features two larger-than-life bronze statues of Peart, linked by a pathway designed with immersive and interpretive elements that highlight both his personal life and his legendary musical career with Rush.
Our mission has always been to build a physical tribute that does justice to Neil’s immense legacy and his deep connection to St. Catharines. Neil was an extraordinary lyricist and Canadian poet, and ‘Lakeside Park’ was, in many ways, a love letter back to this place. There is something incredibly powerful about standing here and experiencing the place behind those lyrics. We already see RUSH fans from around the world making the journey to Lakeside Park and visiting the pavilion. This memorial will deepen that connection even further, creating a lasting destination for fans, residents and visitors to celebrate Neiland the music and words that continue to mean so much to so many. – Meg Symsyk, Chair of the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force
