Parks & Recreation committee recommends grant-funded ShowPro sound system for Park Theatre

The Parks & Recreation Committee voted to recommend a grant-funded upgrade of the Park Theatre’s live-performance sound system.

Joe Harvey, the presenter, told the committee the theatre’s current system was installed primarily for cinema use and is less well suited for live touring acts. He said the committee issued a request for bids, received three proposals and favored a ShowPro package because it pairs speakers and amplifiers from the same manufacturer, includes DSP tuned to that equipment and offers a speaker raising/lowering feature helpful for maintenance. Harvey noted that the raising/lowering capability was an optional equipment feature worth roughly $4,000 and that the selected package was about $7,000 more than the lowest compliant bid.

Harvey said the project is supported by a rural arts facility grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and that, after committee approval, the city will request the grant funds from the arts commission and have them deposited into the city account to pay the vendor (the presenter described the grant as "88" in the record; the exact figure is ambiguous in the transcript). Because the purchase would be covered by the grant, one committee member recommended approving the most complete package; that motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The presenter also highlighted planned uses for the venue, including an upcoming high-school musical and a slate of spring performances.

The committee will forward its recommendation to the full board for final approval.