The amphitheater in Sparks is on schedule to be completed by summer. But before bulldozers leveled the area, special planning went into the facility's layout, that could effect the surrounding neighborhood.Work on the Sparks amphitheater for the Nugget Casino and Resort, rolls on.
“We're getting close to the homeward stretch. We have all the underground plumbing and utilities done. We have the infrastructure for the stage in place. So next week we will lay concrete and asphalt. And then the seating will come in,” said Nugget Casino and Resort General Manager and Senior Vice President Mark Sterbens.
Originally the plan for the facility included a much bigger capacity“Originally we were trying to get to a 10,000 person capacity. We thought 10,000 would be in the market for any entertainer out there. But based on the footprint and the size of the lot, 8,500 was about the max we could get,” said Sterbens. He says an analyst was hired to research the impact that the noise from future concerts would have. Performances will end by 10 pm. The complex has been designed in consideration of the neighborhood.
“We feel very comfortable with the way the stage is positioned and the direction of the majority of the music,” said Sterbens. Lighting will be directed away from the freeway.“So we purposely pointed the stage going parallel with the freeway so there wouldn't be any light reflected into ongoing traffic,” said Sterbens.
Additional security measures will also be in place. That includes: security cameras, the presence of Sparks Police Officers, and fifty of the facility's own security. A total of five exits will make it easier to leave if there is an emergency.“It is definitely a heightened awareness from that unfortunate situation in Las Vegas. It is kind of the new norm going forward to make sure we are ready for any situation like that,” said Sterbens.
The amphitheater is expected to open June 15th with Toby Keith in concert.
