Memorial Park amphitheater 44% complete; city expects summer 2026 finish and 1,000–1,500 standing capacity

Milton Leggett, public works director, reported to the Stuart CRA on Aug. 25 that the Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater project is about 44% complete and remains on schedule against the contract completion date. "We are at 44% of construction," Leggett said, adding the contractor is Metis Construction Company and the engineer-of-record/CEI is Culpeper (presenter's description). Leggett described project scope as building construction, paver and drainage installation, entryways and site grading. He said the start date was March 25 and that the contract completion date is mid-June 2026; one board member noted the contract date is June and said March would be premature to state as the contractual completion target. Jim Churalski, community services director, told the board estimated concert-style capacity without seating would be between about 1,000 and 1,500 people; seating would reduce capacity. "Depends on the kind of venue that we're gonna be doing. Concert style... Anywhere between 1,000, 1,500 people, with no seating. If you put seating within that area, obviously, less," Churalski said. Board members pressed staff for clarification on drainage and site elevations; staff described a dry retention area near a large oak tree and said there is modest elevation (two to three feet in places) to provide sight lines above the crowd. Leggett said there will be paved access sufficient for stage loading and truck access and that staff will distribute photographs of the site to commissioners. Discussion vs. decision: the presentation was informational and included schedule and design clarifications; no new formal action or vote was taken. Staff indicated the project remains on schedule to meet the contract date in mid-June 2026 but cautioned contract language should be used for official schedule statements. Background and next steps: staff will circulate site photographs and continue construction toward contract completion; event promoters have expressed interest, and staff said the venue could accommodate larger shows that local indoor venues cannot seat.