Coconino allocates $500,000 for amphitheater upgrades, prioritizes safety, ADA and production capacity
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Summary
Parks staff recommended using a $500,000 FY26 one‑time allocation to address priority amphitheater repairs and upgrades (hoists, ADA work, concessions and civil work), while deferring a full permanent restroom build and larger roof truss upgrade pending further funding; supervisors endorsed staff's phased approach and asked staff to pursue grants and fundraising.
Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Smith and entertainment partners presented a prioritized plan Feb. 3 to spend a $500,000 one‑time FY26 allocation on upgrades to the county amphitheater intended to expand capacity and improve performer and visitor experience.
Staff proposed a phased program that would address immediate safety, accessibility and operations needs first: replace failing hoists and improve stage infrastructure to support modern lighting and sound; complete recently quoted ADA seating and access work; add concessions/cooler capacity to support larger crowds; and perform deferred repair/replacement work on HVAC and the green‑room roof membrane. Cost estimates received to date put quotes for the prioritized list at roughly $466,000, leaving limited contingency to begin civil work for restroom hookups.
Staff also outlined options for restroom capacity: a 12‑stall mobile trailer (lower upfront cost but shorter lifespan and continued servicing costs) versus a 20‑stall prefab building (estimated at approximately $1.2 million plus hookup costs). Because the prefab solution is far larger than the available one‑time funds, staff recommended using the FY26 allocation to complete the prioritized infrastructure items and to reserve contingency for the restroom civil work while pursuing grants or other revenue sources for a permanent restroom building.
On stage capacity, staff presented a less‑costly structural approach to add roughly 2,000 lbs of additional rigging capacity, with recent quotes coming in lower than earlier estimates.
Supervisors supported the staff recommendation, emphasized that ongoing investment raises revenue, and suggested exploring fundraising and naming opportunities for long‑term capital needs. Staff said most of the prioritized work could be completed within about a year to 18 months if the board confirms direction.
Next steps: Parks will proceed with procurement on the approved priority list, continue to refine civil‑work cost estimates for restroom hookups, and pursue grant/fundraising avenues to finance a permanent restroom building.
