Waukee Leadership Institute Pledges to Build Amphitheater in Centennial Park

Members of the Waukee Leadership Insitute announced plans to build an amphitheater at the Waukee City Council meeting Monday night.

The project, a proposed entertainment venue in Centennial Park, is the Institutes's class project and could cost approximately $150,000 to build.

Rick Peterson, a representative of the Waukee Leadership Institute, told council members Monday night that the group hopes to begin fund-raising by the first of next year.

"What we'd like to do is provide the community a gathering place and a venue to attract entertainment to this area," he said. "We would be putting this all through fund-raising and grant requests with limited resources from the City Council."

Peterson said the bulk of the funding will come from private donations from both individuals and businesses. If fund-raising goes as planned, construction on the amphitheater could begin as early as the summer of 2014.

Waukee City Councilman Shane Blanchard applauded Peterson and the other members of the Waukee Leadership Institute for spearheading the project.

"We're excited about it too," he said. "Congratulations for taking it on."

Council member Shelly Hughes agreed saying she believes the project is much needed and will be well-received in the community.

The Waukee Leadership Institute, founded in 2006, promotes leadership through educational and informational forums that assist dedicated individuals to learn, grow and lead, hopefully in the city of Waukee.

Each class participates in a final class project. Last year, the Institute helped establish the newly-formed Waukee Area Historical Society. The year prior, the group raised money for signs promoting the historic downtown Triangle.