Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced it to close, Sunset Beach Pavilion on Treasure Island is preparing to welcome the public again.

The pavilion’s official reopening is scheduled for June 4, with a celebration featuring food trucks and live music on the beach.

Restoration work began in January. Hurricane Helene flooded the entire island, damaging the pavilion’s floorboards, railings, and stairs while piling up debris. City Public Information Officer Jason Beisel said that when he first assessed the structure after the storm, he feared it was a total loss — until a closer inspection confirmed the foundation was intact.

Working with FEMA, the city undertook repairs with an eye toward making the space more sustainable. The renovation included new floors, railings, and bathrooms, at a total cost of approximately $350,000.

The pavilion, which has been in operation since 2003, generates revenue through rentals that help fund the city’s Parks & Recreation programs. Beisel said the city had already begun receiving reservation inquiries following news of the reopening, with weddings among the most popular uses for the space.

Craig Rothschild, owner of The Roth Hotel about a block away, said his property had already booked a wedding party tied to the pavilion’s first event following the reopening. His hotel, which also suffered extensive hurricane damage and reopened a year ago, has rooms available for the occasion.

For Beisel, the reopening represents broader progress for the community. “This is another sign that we’re getting back to where we were pre-storm, and we’re actually moving forward to be more resilient,” he said.

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