Construction on a new amphitheatre in West Kelowna could be getting underway soon.
Council awarded a $380,249.35 tender to TKI Construction Ltd. for the addition of an amphitheatre in Memorial Park.
"It already exists in the sense there's a natural bowl that's landscaped at the end of the field," said Mayor Doug Findlater. "That's where Westside Days performances are held. Currently it's about a 30 degree slope, and I'be seen people on lawn chairs tumble down there because of the slope. We've had thousands of people there for performances, so this will help organize it."
The amphitheatre will have eight half metre concrete retaining walls, similar to steps, with a grass surface. It will also have a staircase with a handrail, lighting, facilities for audio controls, shade and an asphalt access coming from the other end of the field to allow easy access for wheelchairs. Findlater noted it will have a comfortable capacity of 1,000 people with lawn chairs, and it will also be easier for city staff to mow.
Findlater added a start date for construction hasn't been set yet, but they are hoping to get started within the next month, with a goal of having it completed by July 1st for Westside Days.
The amphitheatre is one of two upgrades planned for Memorial Park this summer, as a tender for $438,263.260 was also awarded to Newline Skate Parks Inc. to construct a new skate park. Both projects have received funding from the federal government, for a total of $315,437 from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.