Proposed Forks Township Amphitheatre to be Discussed Tonight

Concerts, awards ceremonies, plays and community days are just some of the possibilities that Forks Township Supervisors are hoping will attract residents to the proposed township amphitheatre.

Last week, supervisors met with representatives from architectural design firm Kimmel Bogrette, Conshohocken, to discuss issues such as which direction the theatre should face (sun glare is a concern) and the safety of children playing near the parking lot.

The proposed project is expected to cost $279,000 to $378,000. Funds have already been earmarked from the township parks and recreation department. Those funds, according to township manager Richard Schnaedter, have accumulated for a number of years and have been earmarked for leisure and recreation only.

Supervisors will discuss approval of the plans and advertising for work proposals at tonight’s meeting. Proposals will not include electrical and landscaping. The meeting has been scheduled for 7:30pm at the municipal building located at 1606 Sullivan Trail.

“It’s been around for a year and half, two years, it’s time to do something about this thing,” Supervisor David Billings.

According to township officials, a survey conducted nearly a decade ago showed that residents wanted to see an amphitheatre. The facility is set to be located on Sullivan Trail, southwest of the municipal building and parking lots. During last week's discussion, the supervisors decided it would be better to have children playing behind the stage where parents could see them and  away from the parking lot.

This is the second attempt to have the project started. Designs for the project went out to bid more than a year ago. However, those bids came back higher than anticipated and supervisors decided to have the designs done again.

Adjustments to the original plans include changing the proposed hard top covering to a fabric surface. Martin Kimmel, principal for Kimmel Bogrette, said the new fabric covering would be similar to ones already located at Denver Airport and the Vancouver Convention Center and would be good for 20 years.