Industry Noize: Reviving Mesker Amphitheatre

City Councilman Al Lindsey, a champion of the cause, has called for the city to decide on the fate of the venue rather than leaving it as an eyesore.

The amphitheatre is currently the home for crates of seats that were removed from Roberts Stadium.

“I’m just trying to jump-start the conversation again,” he told the Courier & Press. “It’s a shame it’s been allowed to deteriorate to a point where they didn’t feel like opening it up.”

A prospective plan presented two years ago by consultants reportedly showed that bringing the stage up to current code, renovating seats and restrooms, and adding more restrooms, vending and a loading dock could cost up to $16 million, with additional amenities like suite boxes adding another $6 million to $12 million more.

Steve Schaefer, who serves as chief of staff for Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, told the paper the mayor’s office has received lots of public feedback in favor of restoring the amphitheatre.

“The mayor has meetings scheduled with some groups that want to volunteer time and make improvements as a project,” Schaefer said. “We’ve also been in discussions with the Building Authority how to implement some of the consultant’s recommendations at a lower cost. I’ve had some conversations with VenuWorks as well as to the potential of summer musical acts, and (VenuWorks Director Scott Schoenike) is going to put more thought into the possibilities.

“The community support behind the venue is tremendous and needs to be fostered into whatever plans are developed,” he said.

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