Scott Miller presents Village Point concept with amphitheater and 22,000‑sq‑ft airnasium

Scott Miller, a landscape architect and president of MLA Design Group, presented an early concept plan for the Village Point park and event complex at the Village of Clemmons council meeting on April 13, saying the intent of the presentation was to share due diligence, constraints and a concept sketch and to gather council feedback.

Miller said the project proposal covers two primary tracks on or near Village Pointe Drive: a roughly 2.8‑acre lakeside parcel targeted for an amphitheater and a larger, roughly 5.8‑acre parcel to the north for parking, restrooms and an "airnasium" — an open‑air multiuse structure. "This is the Village Point project which you should have received in your packet," he said. "The total piece could house, close to 1000 people, I think, if you really wanted to do an event that big." (Scott Miller)

The nut graf: the concept is intentionally high‑level and flexible. Miller emphasized the design is early stage and can be changed after council comment; staff and consultants asked council to consider how the village might phase elements of the project and where to site future town facilities to help meet parking needs.

Design and site constraints: Miller described site work that included merging survey grade information with aerial imagery, a complete site walk, and identification of existing features that shape the design. He said the lake, an existing trail with bridges, hardwood stands, and a 100‑foot stream buffer along a creek limit where infrastructure and mass grading can occur. Miller noted topography "falls toward the lake" and that one high point provides an opportunity for an overlook and viewing area.

Amphitheater and spectator areas: The concept places an open‑air band shell or stage on the south side of Village Pointe Drive with tiered audience areas. Miller described a "Grama Lawn" of about 15,000 square feet for blanket seating, a mid level with seat walls that can provide ADA access, and a lower flat lawn area for chairs. Using a 10‑by‑10 blanket assumption, he estimated roughly 150 blanket spots in the upper lawn and total assembled capacity up to about 1,000 people for a large event.

Airnasium and flexible uses: On the north side of the road designers propose a 110‑by‑200‑foot airnasium (about 22,000 square feet) that could host markets, sporting events, or vendor layouts. Miller showed vendor layouts and said one configuration could accommodate 66 10‑by‑10 vendor stalls and described how movable nets, marked floor colors and drop‑down perimeter fencing could let the facility switch between use cases such as pickleball courts, a farmers market or a tournament.

Parking, access and circulation: The team proposed locating parking and restroom facilities on the north side of Village Pointe Drive with two crosswalk connections to the amphitheater. Miller said the current concept provides about 118 parking spaces and acknowledged that number "might be on the small side" for some uses. Council members asked how customers would be accommodated during a busy farmers market; Miller said options include controlled on‑street parking during special events, shared parking agreements with future adjacent developments or off‑site vendor drop‑and‑park rules.

Phasing and support facilities: The plan includes a proposed two‑story support building of about 1,600 square feet near the main entrance that could house an office, storage and a warming kitchen. Miller suggested phasing the amphitheater as phase 1 (with essential restrooms and handicap parking) and adding additional parking or facilities in future phases, possibly tied to a future town hall site.

Council direction and next steps: Council members praised the concept and asked staff to consider an overall master plan for village‑owned parcels to identify where parking and future facilities could be located. No formal vote was taken on the concept; Miller and staff will return with further design details and options for addressing parking, drainage and environmental buffers.