
By Sara Beth Williams–
Plans to move forward with construction on the Kathy Cook Amphitheater at Rusch Community Park have been delayed again, according to city leaders and the parks district.
Several Citrus Heights City councilmembers attended a parks district board meeting last month, including councilmembers Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Tim Schaefer.
Karpinski-Costa reported in an email to The Sentinel that she has attended multiple Sunrise Recreation and Park District board meetings, and said the community “desperately needs an outdoor entertainment venue.”
“I’m not sure why this board is hemming and hawing,” Karpinski-Costa said, adding that the city manager and at least three other council members are “dismayed by the lack of progress.”
During a Feb. 21 board meeting, the SRPD Board of Directors directed staff to report back during the March 20 Board meeting regarding the following items: “discussion of alternate locations and Advisory Board approval of the final location, discussion and agreement with Bill Cook regarding Citrus Heights Community Marching Band’s expected use of the amphitheater, discussion and agreement with the City of Citrus Heights and their expected use of the amphitheater, and discussion and agreement with SRPD staff and Advisory Board regarding expectations for the use and programming of the amphitheater.”
Parks district Administrator Kevin Huntzinger said “the process that was outlined in the staff report is the standard process that most public agencies carry out for a project of this scope and size,” and said staff are currently scheduling meetings with project stakeholders and marching band team members, as well as developing reports regarding alternate locations for the amphitheater.
Kody Tickner, Citrus Heights Community Marching Band Director said in an email to The Sentinel that the band is “working to encourage our park district board of directors to approve all aspects of the project,” but added that no specifics were provided during the Feb. 21 board meeting and that the project is still in the environmental impact research stage.
As previously reported, the proposed amphitheater would be built in honor of the founder of the band and would be called the Kathy Cook Amphitheater, according to the band’s website and donation page. Based on designs presented during the meeting, the structure would measure 65 feet long and 18 feet high, and would have a metal roof, and bricks along the back and around the sides.
Several options for locations have been considered, but a popular pick has been along the northwest corner of baseball diamonds one and two, on the west side of Rusch Park, closest to the Rush Drive parking lot.
The band is continuing to raise money to cover project costs on their website.
See prior story: Three location options within Rusch Park being considered for amphitheater
By Sara Beth Williams--
Plans to move forward with construction on the Kathy Cook Amphitheater at Rusch Community Park have been delayed again, according to city leaders and the parks district...
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