Discussion Continues On Potential Waite Park Amphitheater

WAITE PARK -- Talks on whether an amphitheater should be built in Waite Park continued this (Monday) evening.

Members on the Waite Park City Council and Park Board held a work study to discuss the findings of the market study approved back in June.

Joe Hollman of Maxfield Research and Consulting LLC conducted the study. He says the site is well suited for an amphitheater and there is a market for it.

“There seems to be a gap in the St. Cloud market for outdoor concert venues in that mid-size range and the demographics here seem to support it but there isn't that venue," says Hollman.

The city wants to turn a piece of Quarry land they acquired along 17^th Avenue and Parkway Drive into a park.

The site has many amenities such as parking, lots of space and scenery that would make it an ideal location for an amphitheater.

Ann Voda is with BTR Architects and has designed amphitheaters. She says the next step would be for the city to conduct a study on what specifics they want the venue to have.

"Design can test out some of those ideas and you can see if you decide to have this venue or that venue, we can illustrate it and you can decide not only what it looks like but cost for those ideas," says Voda.

No action was taken however, the council and park board decided to review the information and bring it back for discussion in December.