North Las Vegas looking to Craig Ranch’s new venue to pay park costs
Fall concerts, theater plays and dance performances are envisioned at Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road, once the 170-acre, $130 million park finishes the construction of its amphitheater this year.
The 3,000-seat amphitheater is set to create much-needed revenue toward the park’s annual maintenance costs while building a stronger community atmosphere.
“We can’t compete with the Strip and what they’re doing, so our goal is to turn North Las Vegas into a festival community,” said North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee. “As we start meeting the needs of the community, this park is going to change the image of North Las Vegas.”
Mary Ellen Donner, director of neighborhood and leisure services for North Las Vegas, expects the amphitheater to be completed by late June or early July and said it will include a large pond and canopy covering half the stage.
It will take another few months for the new grass to grow in, so the city plans to hold the amphitheater’s grand opening in October.
Donner said the city is planning its first event— a concert series with jazz, blues, Latino, country and soft rock artists, for every Saturday evening in October.
“It’s going to be a very nice amphitheater,” Lee said. “There will be a lake behind it, and it will have dressing rooms, a cast area and a beautiful stage. We plan to use it for a variety of entertainment events — everything from dance troops, orchestras and wine tasting events.”
Construction for the 7-acre amphitheater cost nearly $8 million and was paid for with grant funds.
The largest grant the city received was a $6.5 million grant from Clark County to build the amphitheater and surrounding pond, which was awarded in 2013.
In addition to hosting concerts and other major public events, Lee said the amphitheater would also hold free community events, although most events would be produced for profit.
“We obviously have to use our assets to make money where we can,” Lee said. “Our new parks director will make sure the park is profitable so that it pays for itself.”
City officials are projecting $120,000 in revenue for the amphitheater during the 2015-16 fiscal year, according to Donner.
Lee added that he has plans to partner with the Aliante and the Cannery to use the amphitheater for entertainment events.
The park also features a 5-acre dog park, community garden plots, a skate park and several playgrounds. In the future, Donner said a sports field is planned.
“We always envisioned the amphitheater to be a part of the park,” Donner said. “This is going to be a great amenity for the community. We have very high hopes to bring quality entertainment for the viewing and listening pleasure of residents and visitors.”
Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.