Council backs moving forward on amphitheater upgrades tied to expected multi‑day festival contract

The Beaver Dam City Council authorized staff to move forward with planning for upgrades at the city amphitheater after council members said a promoter is likely to sign a multi‑year contract to operate a multi‑day festival there.
The motion authorizes initial steps—including seeking state funding and engaging an architect—so staff and council can evaluate costs and return to the council with funding requests and formal project approvals. Council members explained that the prospective festival operator expects a long-term (five- to ten-year) contract and that the contract structure would return a portion of event revenue to the city over time to cover improvements.
Officials described potential upgrades that could include new restrooms, dressing rooms, another dock, additional parking, fencing and other site work. Staff told the council some work would be contracted rather than done in‑house, and that upgrading the amphitheater would allow the city to host a larger, multi‑day event.
Council members approved the motion to proceed; they emphasized the need to return with specific funding requests for council review and noted that the city would follow required procurement and bid processes for construction and equipment.