Forks Amphitheatre Plans Knocked Down

For the sixth time -- and after spending $300,000 on plans -- the Forks Township supervisors have rejected one of two proposed amphitheatres, this one next to the municipal building.

 The supervisors voted 3-2 last night against awarding Fourmen Construction Inc., a Peekskill, NY-based company with offices in Easton, a $251,794 contract, thus putting a halt to plans.

Voting against awarding the contract were Supervisors Robert Egolf, David Billings and Erik Chuss. Egolf on several occasions has expressed opposition to the plan, saying the design was too costly and did not reflect the true nature of a band shell.

 “The problem is we went ahead with a concept and the concept isn’t what people envision this to be,” said Chuss.

 But not all board members agreed. Supervisor Lilly Gioia, also a member of the parks and recreation committee, said she is in favor of the design concept.

  “I think the time is to move forward now,” she said. “I can’t believe that we will have an economy like this. It’s good for the community and it’s good for jobs and I think the time to move is now.”

 This is the sixth conceptual design to be presented and knocked down, according to Billings.

 Several residents also echoed their disapproval of the proposed design by architectural firm Kimmel-Bogrette. Complaints included not enough overhead covering, lack of sound quality and questions over the neccessity of two amphitheatres. Plans at the 42-acre park set for Newlins and Richmond roads also call for an amphitheatre.

 “This design is not what Forks Township needs,” said Bonnie Nicholas, a former supervisor who presented an amphitheatre proposal that the board also rejected last night. “This is not an amphitheatre. You might as well pitch a tent and you’d have better sound quality than this "amphitent.'”

  “This is a very unimaginative, uninspired design,” said resident Ken Nagee.

 “With this design, the sound is just going to go everywhere,” said Brett Bonafonti, a senior at Easton Area High School who plays in the marching band. “No one here is in favor of that design, so I don’t understand how any member of the board can say, 'you’re wrong and this is the right design'.”

 Nicholas added, “If a band is not going to sound good, they’re not going to want to play here and no one is going to hear a band that sounds bad.” 

 Nicholas said she is in favor of an amphitheatre in the township but against the proposed design. Instead, Nicholas said she could provide the township with a design at no cost that residents would welcome. She proposed gathering residents and an architect and coming up with a new design.

Nicholas' proposal, however, was voted down 3-2, with supervisors Chuss, C. David Howell and Gioia voting against it.

 “I have been wanting an amphitheatre for many, many, many years,” said Nicholas. "It’s been number two on the parks survey twice. This 'amphitent' does not have one bit of sound quality. We call this thing an amphitheatre. This is not an amphitheatre. I think for the money you could do a lot better.”

The supervisors could revisit the plans because they are already drawn up. For now, though, the focus apparently will be on the park amphitheatre. No formal plans have been drawn up, but its design and the park's design are also in the hands of Kimmel-Bogrette.