April 12, 2005
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Eric Swendsen, 13, of Central Point, says it took about 200 hours to complete a Boy Scout Eagle Project landscaping a spot next to the new amphitheater at the Jackson County
fairgrounds. The concert venue opens this summer.
Mail Tribune / Jim Craven
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Amphitheater to regulate outside food, drink
By DAMIAN MANN
Mail Tribune
The Expo’s new amphitheater will be off limits to people bringing coolers, alcohol and lawn chairs — even for Britt Festival-goers accustomed to pre-concert picnics at the Jacksonville
venue.
"While people are going to be disappointed, the Britt is an anomaly," said Expo Director Chris Borovansky, adding that most fairgrounds in the country have similar policies.
For example, the 20,000-seat Gorge Amphitheater in the Columbia Gorge has similar restrictions that stop backpacks, alcohol, cans and bottles at the gates.
He said the policies are nothing new and apply to other facilities at the Expo grounds. However, the fair will allow a patron to bring one sealed bottle of water as an exception at the
amphitheater, making water and other beverages available at concession stands. Picnic supplies like lawn chairs, food and alcohol will be available from concessionaires.
The rules are partly based on safety because there will be up to 5,900 people at the amphitheater compared to 2,200 at Britt. In addition, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission doesn’t allow
customers to bring alcohol to the amphitheater.
But the decision also is based on economics.
"We have to pay for the place, too," said Borovansky. "We didn’t build it with total altruism in mind."
The amphitheater is being built for $4 million through loans, grants, donations and volunteer efforts.
At the amphitheater, the Expo will receive 20 percent from concession sales during the off-season and 25 percent during the fair. Prices for water and other concessions haven’t been set yet for
amphitheater events, he said.
The fair will also receive 10 percent of the gross ticket sales for Britt concerts at the amphitheater, up to a maximum $15,000.
Borovansky said Britt will act as an "anchor tenant" for the amphitheater, providing many of the acts, but won’t have an exclusive contract for all the entertainment.
Ron McUne, executive director of Britt Festivals, agreed with Borovansky that Britt is an anomaly. "We kind of work outside of the box because we’ve been doing it for so long," he said.
"But we’re not saying people can’t go into the amphitheater and have a good time."
McUne said Britt is involved in its own music festival, bringing in local service groups to operate the concession stands and planning to raise up to $4 million for major capital improvements in
the next two years.
By contrast, Britt only lines up the acts for the amphitheater and doesn’t receive any cut from the concession sales.
Britt will also be cautious in lining up acts for the Central Point venue, not wanting to saturate the market for music. "We’re looking at some nice growth without stepping on our toes,"
he said.
As gas prices climb, McUne said Britt organizers are worried about attendance this summer because 30 percent of Britt concert-goers come from out of the area. So far, he said, ticket sales have
remained strong.
Britt has already lined up the Steve Miller Band for the grand opening of the amphitheater on July 1, and also will feature ZZ Top and B.B. King.
The county fair will be held July 19-24 with additional acts to be announced at the amphitheater.
The Expo also may host a free concert sometime before the amphitheater’s grand opening in thanks for local efforts building the amphitheater.
Expo Center gets an Eagle-Scout fix-up
Eric Swendsen used to fish at the ponds around the Jackson County Expo Center, so he jumped at the chance to spruce up the new amphitheater.
The 13-year-old Boy Scout recently coordinated volunteers and plant donations as part of his Eagle Scout project.
"At first it didn’t seem to be too hard, but it was a good challenge," he said.
Eric worked with landscape architect John Galbraith; Jackson & Perkins (for the roses); Cascade Nursery; three Boy Scout troops; and others to plant dogwoods, roses and perennials and install a
sprinkler system just to the right of the stage.
"We’re pretty proud of Eric," said Expo Director Chris Borovansky.
He estimates that the labor and material donations added up to more than $10,000 in value.
Borovansky said the landscaped area didn’t fit in with the budget for the $4 million project, so it would have been unsightly if Eric hadn’t coordinated the effort.
Boy Scout Troop 109 helped prepare the site and several adults helped trench and lay pipe for the sprinkler system.
Last Saturday, Eric and his volunteers planted and spread the bark.
Eric said he needed a minimum of 65 hours for an Eagle project, but ended up getting 200 hours of volunteer time.
Volunteers, including his father, Brent Swendsen, found the soil particularly rocky, derailing the chain twice on the trencher.
His mother, Nancy Swendsen, said from the moment her son approached Borovansky about the project, he has been organized.
She said the Eagle project requires a boy show his leadership qualities.
"We’re pleased with his good choices," she said.
Eric said he will probably come back this summer to put some soil conditioner around the plants.
Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail
dmann@mailtribune.com
