For those about to rock, Columbus Crew Stadium salutes you.
When Germain Amphitheater closed in 2007, many fans were left in the cold. Those looking for an outdoor concert experience had no alternatives to turn to. Fortunately, the addition of a new concert stage to Crew Stadium this spring should help ease the pain.
The stage, being built in the north end of the stadium, will be 120-feet-wide and 60 feet deep. Concert capacity will range from 15,000 to as much as 30,000. Construction is under way and expected to be finished by mid-April. Costs will total more than $2 million.
“It’s been something we’ve had on the radar for a couple of years, and obviously with Germain closing down it kind of gave us an opportunity to push the project forward,” said Scott DeBolt, vice president of stadium operations.
No shows have been scheduled, but he said talks are under way with several big-name acts. The schedule could be announced in early February.
Germain Amphitheater had as many as 40 shows a summer, but DeBolt said Crew Stadium will not try to match that number. The initial plan is to have four to six shows in 2008 and from eight to 10 a year in the future.
“We’re not going to be doing 25 shows a summer. We’re not looking to replace Germain, just looking to fill a void in the market,” he said.
The stadium will instead focus on attracting festivals and big names that typically play outdoors and might otherwise pass Columbus. The stage will serve as a nice change of scenery rather than try to compete with other venues. Its arrival looks to turn Crew Stadium into a hotspot and draw large crowds during the hottest months.
“We feel that we can still capture some of those (acts) that want to be outside during the summer,” DeBolt said.
Scott Stienecker, president of PromoWest Productions, said the stage is something that can help fill the niche that Germain Amphitheater left behind.
“The market needs a big place to do outdoor shows so I think Crew Stadium will take that. It’ll keep some of the bigger outdoor things coming to Columbus, which is a good thing,” said Stienecker, who was also involved in the construction of Germain Amphitheater.
For concert lovers, more opportunities to see their favorite bands play are always welcome.
“I thought that with Germain closing down, that would really limit Columbus to what kind of acts would come through. I thought that was going to be really disappointing,” said Kyle Blizzard, a senior in communication and former Germain Amphitheater employee.
The construction of the stage will offer some solace to those who might have thought they had seen the end of outdoor shows in Columbus.
“I hope it is a success, it would be a great place to go to see some good shows. It’ll be interesting to see how they set it up and how they actually work it out,” Blizzard said.
In the meantime, speculation remains on who will play and how it will turn out. One thing is for sure though, the stage is ready to bring in the biggest and the best of them.
“If we can capture the market on some of the big acts, we’ll be happy,” DeBolt said.
Jeffy Mai can be reached at [email protected].
