Features
Clio Still Has A Chance
Michigan’s Clio Area Amphitheater, which left ticket-holders in a lurch when it closed down and filed for bankruptcy in August, may have a future yet. The city announced new plans for the venue November 7th, but the decision could come down to who voters put in office.
City leaders have already been in talks with three different groups interested in taking over the 3,100-seat shed. If a new group comes in to run the venue, city officials said they will reword the contract to prevent another bankruptcy.
“We have an election today (November 8th) that will decide if incumbents will retain their seats. Whatever the situation is, the next city council meets to decide how they want the facility to be used,” City Administrator Tom Yost told Pollstar. “The decision is, are we going to try to continue it on a high professional level? The decision has not been made yet.”
Yost wants Clio officials to approve plans to buy bleachers and equipment for the venue.
He added that some residents would be interested in seeing the venue rediscover its roots of hosting community-related events.
Following its August 18th closure, ticket-holders were duped for August/September concerts on the books including
“It was a very disappointing thing to have happen,” Yost said. “It’s not very often that you have a very small community, which we are, have such a nice venue.”
Some concert-goers are still calling city leaders, demanding refunds. Plus, Hoobastank has reportedly asked the city to pay its $60,000 guarantee.
Though the city owns the venue, it claims it’s not liable. Yost said the shed was being operated by a nonprofit group.
— Mitchell Peters