West Des Moines Officials Want Input On Amphitheater Proposal

WEST DES MOINES, IA — City leaders are looking for public comment on a proposed amphitheater to gauge the community's interest and determine what types of events and activities could be held at the venue. An open house will be held Tuesday to detail the amphitheater plans.

The amphitheater, which would be built at the Civic Campus Pond near City Hall, is among amenities proposed in the Five Waters Project. That plan would connect five community sites that have water features with a recreation loop trail while creating amenities such as the amphitheater, a bridge over the Raccoon River and an outdoor ice skating rink.

The amphitheater, with a projected cost of $2 million, would be located on a hill on the southeast side of the pond in a naturally sloped area. It would seat 500 to 600 people on stone benches while maintaining lawn space for blankets and chairs, according to information from the city and parks advisory board meetings.

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The Parks and Recreation Department will host the open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Community Room at the West Des Moines Community Schools Learning Resource Center, 3500 Mills Civic Parkway. Consultants with Confluence, ASK Studio and McClure Engineering will be present, along with city staff, to answer questions and gather feedback. A guided public discussion will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Parks Director Sally Ortgies told the parks advisory board last month that a private donor has considered giving enough to the project to secure naming rights. The board must consider the request and last week discussed policies for determining the name of such features.

The Five Waters Project received approval from the City Council earlier this year and components are in various planning stages. A pedestrian bridge over the river has been delayed due to floodway issues. The entire project as currently proposed could cost more than $30 million and take 10 years to complete, officials have said.

Image provided by City of West Des Moines