The Murray-Calloway County Parks and Recreation Board has approved a new amphitheater pavilion for the city’s Central Park.
The Murray Rotary Club has been raising money for the new amphitheater shell since last summer. Murray Rotary’s James Gallimore says around $100,000 has been raised thus far toward a total project goal of $160-180,000. The shell alone cost $70,000 and should be delivered in the next two months.
“Right now we’re going to erect the shell and see if we continue with the fundraising, and if we have the money when the shell is erected, we’re going to go ahead and build some bathrooms and some dressing rooms," Gallimore said.
Gallimore said the new pavilion will have many uses that the current amphitheater - completely open air with limited power source availability - couldn't accommodate.
“We’re hoping to use it for our Playhouse in the Park if they wanted to do something outdoors, Murray State’s performing arts and we wanted to have family reunions down there, if somebody wanted to get married down there," Gallimore said.
Gallimore said, with full funding in place, the amphitheater should be ready for dedication by mid-May. He said national Rotary Club leaders are expected for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
