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Board and staff map contingency plans for summer concerts as drought, grass damage and capacity raise concerns
Summary
Board members and town staff discussed keeping the summer concert series at Chipeta Park while preparing a ‘Plan B’ for relocation if park grass is damaged; town manager emphasized stewardship and permitting responsibilities and staff said DDA funding for the series is exhausted.
Chair Andrew Dewart opened the summer concert conversation noting the series "matters to Nederland" and that the board and business community value a safe, well‑run performance space.
Andrew outlined that Chipeta Park has the amenities the series needs — bathrooms, grass and parking — but that the program was designed to rotate locations and that alternatives (Gursey Field, Barker Meadows, 1st Street) had been considered in prior planning.
Jonathan, the town manager, urged caution on moving forward if the field condition risks costly permanent damage. “I have a responsibility as a town manager to make sure that that place stays nice,” he said, explaining the town had spent more than $250,000 on restoring Gursey Field’s turf in prior years and that drought conditions have left Chipeta showing compaction and browning.
Staff and the DDA agreed to prepare contingency logistics in case a concert must move: an emergency plan with restroom and circulation logistics to be coordinated with event operator Sweet Wave and local businesses so staff could more quickly relocate a single concert if needed. Kate said she would begin planning with Sweet Wave and confirmed the DDA’s last two years of direct funding for the series have ended; future funding and a dedicated performance space will be considered during the upcoming budget process.
Board members asked staff to evaluate permitting, restroom plans, generator/cabling requirements and parking logistics before deciding on any relocation. Kate said staff will follow up offline with town staff and the DDA to have operational plans ready, and that if the grass condition forced a one‑time relocation they would act collaboratively with businesses and volunteers to execute it.
Next steps: staff will complete an emergency relocation plan (restrooms, permit checklist, generator and staging logistics) and provide options and budget implications during the DDA’s budget discussions and at the next meeting.
