SANDY -- It's less than two weeks until curtain time for the city's new $3.2 million outdoor amphitheater for the performing arts.
Construction workers are racing to pour concrete terraces, lay sod, install seats, apply the rubberized stage floor covering and hang a massive door that will cover the large outdoor stage.But Rick Smith, the city's newly appointed director of community affairs, says he's been assured by contractors the 2,500-seat arts facility will be ready to go in time for the Grand Opening Gala scheduled for Aug. 20-21.
Fast-track construction of the 13,000-square-foot amphitheater at 9400 South and 1300 East began in February. It is the first leg of a three-phase plan to turn 22 acres of city property northwest of the intersection into an "arts campus" serving Sandy residents.
City officials are billing the amphitheater as one of the top outdoor performing arts facilities in the Intermountain West, capable of accommodating an assortment of concerts, musicals, plays, dance performances and special events.
Davis said three of the five introductory events planned for the first construction-shortened season will be free in an effort to encourage the public to experience the new facility.
Free events will include the two-day opening gala, a Utah Symphony Orchestra performance on Aug. 23 and an International Singers Showcase set for Sept. 10.
Events that will charge admission include performances of "Best of Broadway" Aug. 27-31 featuring renowned baritone Robert Peterson, who is a Sandy resident, and the annual Sandy Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 4.
The opening gala will begin with a nightly ceremony at 7 p.m. followed by concert performances.
On Aug. 20, entertainment will be provided by "Reunion," featuring alumni of the venerable singing group "The Lettermen." The opening act for the evening will be "New Generation."
Five groups will be featured Aug. 21 including Ritmo Caliente, the American West Symphony and Chorus, Synergy, Mountain West Ballet and a band that calls itself "All That And A Check."
The amphitheater will open at 6 p.m., and gala-goers are urged to arrive early because seating will be limited.
Performers will be working on a 2,500-square-foot stage complete with sound and lighting systems.
There will be 500 permanent seats in the amphitheater plus seating on tiered, grassy berms for another 2,000 people.
A few tickets for the 2000 concert season are still available at the Sandy city personnel office. However, office staff report all but 30 of the 500 season tickets had been sold by Wednesday.
Additional information is available by phoning 568-6097.
One item yet to be completed is the selection of a name for the new amphitheater.
Davis said a city-sponsored contest to name the facility drew about 300 entries, but the City Council hasn't reached a decision yet.
Future additions to the "arts campus" planned by city officials and the Sandy Arts Guild include a community arts center and an indoor performing arts center with a children's theater.
The indoor facility is already in the planning stages, and architects could begin the design phase of the project later this year.