Murrysville will likely delay construction of park amphitheater

With live concerts an unlikely scenario in the near future, and a group of consultant proposals that missed the mark, Murrysville officials are likely to hold off on plans to build an amphitheater at Murrysville Community Park.

“We received five (consultant) proposals, and to say the least, I think we’re a little disappointed,” Morrison told council members Wednesday night. “They missed the point that this would be a team effort with public works, and that a contractor would handle the stage foundation, with much of the rest of the work done in-house or with volunteers.”

Armed with a $299,000 grant from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the pre-fabricated amphitheater was to be part of the third phase of park improvements, located on a 4.5-acre parcel at the park off Wiestertown Road. Municipal officials were seeking a consultant to help with aspects like solar power and planning for a pedestrian walkway and a parking area.

“I think (the consultants) assumed they would come in, design the whole project and be responsible for working with the contractors,” Morrison said. The lowest proposed price for the consulting work was between $50,000 and $60,000.

“Staff will be coming back with a recommendation that the amphitheater be postponed for this year,” Morrison said.

The DCNR grant does not expire until 2022.

“They give you a three-year window to complete these projects,” recreation Director Carly Greene said.

With no real idea of when larger-scale social events will be possible, council members and staff felt there was no rush to start the project.

“Given the financial situation that’s facing so many of us, I don’t know how it would look for us to be building a $500,000 amphitheater,” Morrison said.