Amphitheater

From the June 23rd Council connection -

"2) Contribution Pledged for Amphitheatre
Mr. Frank Lento provided Council with an overview of the outdoor activity/playground project which will be built on the Isabella Dicken Elementary School property at the corner of 13th Street and 2nd Avenue. He explained that there is now an excellent opportunity to incorporate a 2800 square foot outdoor amphitheatre to the plan for an additional $58,500. He informed Council that $30,000 has already been committed by the School District and the Strengthening the Connection Program and asked Council to pledge a maximum of $28,000 toward the project so that it could proceed.

Mr. Lento stated that he would continue his fundraising efforts for the $28,000 and any funds received would offset the City’s contribution. Council agreed to a financial commitment not to exceed $28,000 to be paid from the 2009 Operating Budget and that this commitment will be referred to the 2009 budget deliberations to determine a funding source, if necessary. The amphitheater could be completed as early as July 15th."

what will happen to the playground? With this big theater will there be room for the children play come september?

That's pretty quick, June 23 to digging the next week. I read about it in the Free Press, basically the same thing Alba posted and I think they're supposed to make the playground part of it. It would have made more sense to me to put it over by the ball diamonds where events are usually held. What about the people who live across the street, right behind the theater?

If the general public is able to use the amphitheater for weddings, grad and I imagine many of the functions the community centre caters for does the city manage the bookings and financial side of booking the amphitheater and how do the city council intend to adjust the loss of profits they will lose from the regular functions they rent out the community centre for? Will the community centre even be of much use??
I personally think that this is going to be a terrific assett for our community. To have a amphitheater will benefit locals and tourists. It only makes the town more diverse and it certainly seems to follow the current trend.

Well I agree with you that it is an asset to our community... I just think the location is a little off. I mean, there is a lot of space on the other side of the school between the parking lot and the Tom Uphill Manor that could be used as a amphlitheatre, instead of using the playground.

Well, you can't please everyone. I imagine they did what they could, just disappointed to see the playground torn up for it.
Saying as the local business's all helped raise the money for a new playground, and it doesn't seem like the money is being used accordingly. Maybe I am wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

I haven't done any research on this, but I think you need to check your facts. It appears the amphitheatre will be IN ADDITION to the new playground, not instead of it, and it will be 100 seats (pretty small) not 1000 as previously quoted.

If you are concerned, you should contact city council about the construction. From what I read, I imagined a small facility for use by the school for small grad presentations and such, not a wedding venue (would you get married in an elementary school yard one block from the railway track?) or giant colloseum for rock concerts.

I could be wrong too...

Alright,well a smaller venue would be alright. ( I thought 1000 person seating would be huge) IF it serves a purpse for the school, and the kids still get a great playground that won't be sacraficed for a theater, then my worries are nulled.

Thank you for the extra information.

In last weeks free press...It had an article stating that it was 1,000 people and that it would be a venue for weddings, grads etc.The number of a 1,000 people sparked my interest.It was in last weeks addittion of the free press third page.
Yes it is in addittion to the playgound and the reason it was just presented to council was so that the construction can be completed on this at the same time as the playground construction.

where in gods name are one thousand people going to park, or use the washroom or whatever. This is possibly the most idiotic spot imaginable.

Again where was the opportunity for public input? This council doesn't give a dead rats buttocks what the community thinks. Homeowners nearby were not consulted. What's next? Banning autos from downtown, toll booths on the bridges, rocky mountain lifestyle tax. Randall and his band of merry men used to speak of "an old boys network" in city politics. Looks like there is still alot of "networking" going on.

Alot of people go on about public input and becoming part of the communtiy on this site. It's a bit hard when council appears to do what they like anyway.

Directly taken from the free press -` The 2,800 square foot amphitheatre will be a multi use space, says lento, a venue that can play host to everything from workshops to weddings, BBQs, concerts and celebrations of all kinds.`
I know from personal experience an average wedding reception at the community centre lasts until 2am (which is generally every 2nd weekend in summer) and this year grad went until 4am.
But I am sure this will all be regulated and in the big picture it is just another recreational space that we can all enjoy community events at.