Events will celebrate opening of facility

Warren Rotary Club helped keep the project alive, one official said.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The wait is almost over.
The grand opening for the Warren Community Amphitheater is set for 4 p.m. Friday. The event, sponsored by the Warren Area Chamber of Commerce Education, Cultural and Civic Foundation, includes music from local groups and performers.
"It's a free event," said Michael D. Keys, community development director.
Amphitheater seating was designed for spectators to spread their blankets on the grassy steps carved into the hill, Keys said.
Mayor Hank Angelo will recognize some of the people and groups instrumental in seeing the Riverwalk Amphitheater project through.
Diane Sauers, president of Warren Rotary Club when the group started its annual auctions to raise money for the project, is scheduled to speak, Keys said.
"The Rotary was instrumental in keeping the project alive," Keys said, adding that the amphitheater project was initially proposed about 20 years ago.
Delayed by rain
The facility, which is part of the larger Riverwalk project, was set to open earlier this month, but Mother Nature didn't cooperate.
Heavy rains in late July covered the stage and washed away some mulch and plants, but Keys said it dried out well and the mulch and plants were replaced.
Four downtown restaurants, The Hippodrome, North Perk, Saratoga and the Mocha House, will sell food from under a tent on the promenade.
"They're going to all work together," Keys said. "We figured we'd do something to benefit downtown people who can make a dollar and give them some advertising also."
Some groups, like the Heritage Festival, already plan to use the facility but a committee that's been established to plan and work on the amphitheater project is to recommend to council how the facility should be run.
Options
The city could opt to operate the facility itself, lease it to a nonprofit organization or to a for-profit company.
Eventually, the city hopes to extend the Riverwalk trail through Packard Park and snake it along the river from the city's northern to southern boundaries.
The next two pieces the city hopes to complete are exterior restoration of the 1834 Kinsman House and building a stage with a roof for the amphitheater.
"The reason the Kinsman House is next is because of its visibility from Mahoning Avenue and because when you're standing down and the amphitheater and look up, the view of the Kinsman House will be beautiful when it's done," Keys said.
denise.dick@vindy.com