Draper leaders hoping to get amphitheater up soon

By Donald W. Meyers
The Salt Lake Tribune
April 17, 2008

DRAPER - More than a decade ago, a South Mountain developer gave Draper an unfinished 5-acre park and amphitheater just off Vestry Road. Area residents said they could raise $250,000 toward building a performing-arts center to attract concerts and plays, and the city planned to match the $250,000. But today, the property still sits empty. Weeds overwhelm 17 rows of unused concrete stadium seats. Now, it's a $2 million to $5.4 million effort - depending on which of four amphitheater versions is built.

As it is often said in the theater, the show must go on.

Bill Colbert and Draper's arts community believes the same thing when it comes to the Draper amphitheater project. It's time to make the decade-old project a reality. "I'm tired of spending money on designs," Colbert said. "It seems like we're spending a lot of time redesigning it." Instead Colbert wants this south Salt Lake Valley city and its arts community to figure out what it can do with the money that's available and put up something.

While Colbert has presented his own scaled-back version of a theater to the City Council, supporters of the theater say the best course would be to build on the plans the city approved last year - and add things in as the budget permits. "If they scale back the design, doing it right is the best way to go," said Leslie Johnson, president of the Draper Arts Councilå.

The amphitheater, located off Vestry Drive, was donated to the city by South Mountain developers. However, the developer never followed through on finishing the project, and today its concrete seats rest in the side of a hill overlooking a paved, weed-filled lot.

The council has four proposals for constructing a theater, ranging from a $5.4 million to $2 million. The problem: The city only has $1.1 million budgeted for it. A community group, Magic on the Mountain, is trying to raise $250,000 to help out.

Johnson said there was talk last year of using Redevelopment Agency money, but those plans didn't work out. While she thinks there could be a way to free up the money, she's also willing to work with existing funds to get the project off the ground.

The councilman, Colbert, offered a proposal for a $176,000 wood structure to house a stage and some limited dressing rooms. Rather than design something new, Colbert thinks the city should look to see what contractors can offer in an off-the-shelf design from a Pennsylvania company.

While Johnson appreciates Colbert's efforts to get the project back on track, she thinks sticking with the original designs from Gilson Engineering is the best move. That could make it easier to expand the facility as the things move ahead. While a different design may be cheaper now, it may cost more in the future to upgrade it as the arts program grows, she said.

Colbert said the city and the Draper Arts Council need to talk. Some things - like an orchestra pit and an elaborate theatrical-lighting setup - may have to go.

Also, the city needs to decide what kind of theater it will offer.

Colbert said there is no need to have Broadway-style productions, as that niche could be filled elsewhere. He wants to see the city concentrate more on community theater.

Meanwhile Magic on the Mountain spokeswoman Terri Purles said $166,000 has been raised so far.

For more information about events, please contact Terri Purles at 801-571-9507 or 801-910-8888.

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