City breaks ground on $6.1 million amphitheater project
Officials break ground at the site of the new amphitheater in Menifee's Central Park. (Staff photo) By Doug Spoon, Editor City of Meni...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
City of Menifee officials broke ground Friday on a $6.1 million project to construct an amphitheater at Central Park in Menifee Town Center
The structure, which will take about a year to complete, will be 26 feet tall and will cover the concrete stage that is currently on site. It will include 3,500 square feet of performance space, with 2,500 square feet in a storage building behind the stage.
City Council members envision an outdoor gathering place for residents and guests to enjoy the arts, including music and dance performances in the years to come.
“It’s a milestone day,” said Mayor Bill Zimmerman. “It’s a day in our history that we’ll always be able to remember, especially a year from now when this project is complete and we have our first big concert under a new cover. Theater performances, ballet, you name it. All our students at the schools will enjoy having this wonderful complex for all the great things they’re going to be able to do.”
SouthStar Engineering, TY Lin International and Optima Construction are responsible for construction of the amphitheater, which is located in the southeast corner of Central Park.
“Events like this bring me back to my days on city council for both Murrieta and Temecula,” said Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington, who represents Menifee in District 3. “Many of those experiences mirror what Menifee is going through right now. Lots of growth, lots of development and lots of strategic planning, which are the growing pains for all new cities to experience.
“Central Park amphitheater will bring countless memories and good times to this growing city. I look forward to the day when this amphitheater is accompanied by the new City Hall, the new court house, the Paloma Wash pedestrian bridge and a new parking lot.”
Parking for the project will be in a lot north of the park which will also serve the new City Hall when it is built. Foot traffic will also come to the park on the soon-to-be constructed Paloma Wash pedestrian bridge from the adjacent commercial center.
The project, championed by City Council member Lesa Sobek, was first discussed in 2018. The original design for a modest shade structure was rejected in favor or a more sophisticated structure, which came with it a much higher price tag. Zimmerman was one of two council members (along with Ricky Estrada) who voted against the project in December, citing excessive costs. On Friday, however, Zimmerman did his best to project the image of a united front.
“When we were getting to this point, not every council member was in support of it, just because of the cost,” he said. “However, once the votes are made, we all get in the boat and we all paddle together in the same direction. That is a mature, respectful, responsible city council, to do that. We’re a team and we stand together.”
During construction, the area surrounding the concrete stage will be fenced off. All other shade structures and sitting areas will remain open. Half of the existing parking lot will be closed. The trail and playground will remain open.
What an absolute waste of money. The city has so many issues including traffic, lack of non-retail jobs and half-built buildings and we are spending money on this? From the stage, you will have a beautiful view of the burnt down dreams of Menifee entertainment.
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