Island Ponders Promoter Bid

The board that oversees Santa Rosa Island near Pensacola, Fla., is considering a more than $200,000 bid from a promoter to produce off-season concerts at Gulfside Pavilion on the island’s Casino Beach.

Joe Lewis of Bonfire Jam LLC recently presented his proposal to the board, according to the Pensacola News Journal. It includes a plan to expand the venue’s capacity to 4,200 to draw national acts.

While the Island Authority has apparently been mulling over the idea of holding more concerts at the pavilion for some time, board members were concerned about whether they’d be able to shore up the funds to pay the promoter.

Lewis told the board he’s confident he could bring in national acts to generate a return on the Authority’s investment, the News Journal reported.

The proposal is scheduled to head to a committee for further discussion Sept. 28.