Rotary Amphitheater will receive upgrade
CRANBERRY TWP — The days of rainy weather affecting performances at Rotary Amphitheater in the township's Community Park could soon be a thing of the past.
Upgrades and enhancements at the amphitheater were selected as the Cranberry Township Community Chest Project of the Year for 2020. Project details have not yet been finalized, but the largest portion of the work will be an extension of the 17-year-old amphitheater's roofline and performance area.
Bruce Mazzoni, township supervisor and CTCC project coordinator, said the project is something organizers have been considering for a while, but were waiting for the right time. He said with the Rotary soon celebrating its 50th anniversary, the timing worked out.
“It's a nice project, and both we and the Rotary are very excited,” he said. “They're going to be a great partner.”
Since opening in 2002, the amphitheater regularly hosts free and paid concerts, events and other presentations throughout the summer months. However, inclement weather often negatively impacts both the performers and audience members. The project aims to eliminate some of those issues, Mazzoni said.
“Weather has always been a big factor,” he said. “We want to help establish the musical arts a little more, and this project helps with that.”
In addition to the roof work on both the amphitheater and audience areas, the project is also expected to include upgrading the area's sound boards and electrical service, as well as adding lights at the venue.“The technology of both sound and lighting has tremendously changed in the last two decades,” Mazzoni said.Facade and drainage work is being considered, as well as sidewalk connections and improved vehicle access. Mazzoni said excavation work to expand the area in general is also on the wish list.The goal of CTCC is to help raise funds for community projects and draw attention to worthy causes.Past projects include an electronic welcome sign at the intersection of Routes 19 and 228, playgrounds, park-based fitness stations, resurfacing the Miracle League ballfield, new SportsCourts in Graham Park and a disc golf course in North Boundary Park. The current project — “Forge Ahead” — will fund major upgrades and additions at the Cranberry Public Library.The organization also holds Cranberry CTCC Community Days, set this year from July 11 to 13.
