RUSH donation strikes final, triumphant cord for Neil Peart Memorial fundraising campaign

Band’s VIP Experience gift secures $1M goal

Legendary Canadian rock band RUSH and their fans have cranked their late friend’s Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park fundraising campaign to a platinum finish – and secured the project’s $1-million goal.

The Peart memorial fundraising campaign will officially close on Oct. 15, 2026, to allow fans to donate to the memorial including the opportunity to purchase a commemorative fan panel to leave a permanent personal tribute engraved on the memorial. Spots are limited.

RUSH’s Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson presented a $785,000 cheque to the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force Fundraising Sub-Committee and City staff after wrapping their recent hometown Toronto run with a concert on Aug. 13 at Scotiabank Arena. For their “Fifty Something” tour, RUSH donated a portion of the proceeds from their VIP experiences and packages to the Neil Peart Memorial in Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, meaning RUSH fans are an intrinsic part of the public tribute to the legendary RUSH drummer. Lee also donated $1 from every ticket sold during his “My Effin’ Life” book tour in fall 2023 to support the memorial.

“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,” said Eric Lamothe, City Manager, Community Programs and Parks. “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.”

City Council established the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force following Peart’s passing on Jan. 7, 2020. In September 2024, the task force held an official launch event at Lakeside Park to announce the start of the fundraising campaign to honour Peart with a public work of art. 

Through a competitive process, in late 2022 the task force selected Morgan MacDonald of The Newfoundland Bronze Foundry (Morgan Sculpture Inc.) to create the memorial alongside the Neil Peart Pavilion at Lakeside Park. The concept from the winning creative team includes two larger-than-life bronze sculptures of Peart connected by a pathway offering experiential and interpretative features providing insight into his personal and professional legacies, including his time with the band. Watch a video rendering of the memorial design at stcatharines.ca/PeartDesign.

“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,” said Meg Symsyk, Chair of the Neil Peart Commemorative Task Force. “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 Neil and the music and words that continue to mean so much to so many.”

A staff report will come to a City Council meeting in September detailing next steps. City staff tentatively expects the Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park to open in late 2027.

Peart had deep ties to St. Catharines, where he spent his formative years. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Canada recipient, Peart is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Throughout his career, Peart often reflected fondly on his summers in Port Dalhousie, which inspired the hit RUSH song, “Lakeside Park.”

Photo credits: Richard Sibbald