Ceremony highlights amphitheater's progress

At a Topping Out Ceremony hosted by Venu on Feb. 12, the Broken Arrow City Council, City Manager Michael Spurgeon, and other community leaders toured the Sunset Amphitheater project's progress.

Known as a traditional builder's rite, a Topping Out Ceremony celebrates the placement of the last beam at the highest point of a facility's structure, which is a significant milestone for any construction project.

"This new amphitheater represents a major economic and cultural win, not only for Broken Arrow, but for the entire region," Mayor Debra Wimpee said. "Over the first 20 years of operation, this amphitheater is projected to generate $4.36 billion in economic impact. That's billions of dollars circulating through our local economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, retail, and small businesses."

Wimpee said the Sunset Amphitheater at Broken Arrow is also expected to create 633 direct or indirect jobs, strengthening the city's workforce and expanding opportunities for families.

"But beyond the numbers, it's about creating a place where memories are made, a place where families gather on summer nights, where artists connect with audiences, and where Broken Arrow continues to establish itself as a destination for culture, entertainment, and innovation," Wimpee said.

City Manager Michael Spurgeon said a Topping Off Ceremony is more than symbolic; it represents the vision becoming a reality.

"Our collaboration with Venu is a great example of what can happen when a private sector business and a local government align around a shared vision," Spurgeon said. "Venu brought creativity, expertise, and investment; the City brought strategic planning, infrastructure, and a long-term commitment to make this area a destination that will be world-class."

As the steel rises, it's becoming easier to visualize Venu's $100 million capital investment becoming a reality.

Spurgeon spoke about the City's part in this public-private partnership.

"This 12,500-seat amphitheater will soon stand as a landmark destination, not just for Broken Arrow, but for the entire region and our great state of Oklahoma!" Spurgeon said. "Part of the partnership was delivering the infrastructure necessary to support a world-class experience. We focused on the fundamentals, which were parking."

He said the Council demanded safe and efficient ingress and egress, lighting, and stormwater improvements.

"All of the elements that ensure patrons have an exceptional experience from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave," Spurgeon said.

In addition to parking, the City of Broken Arrow widened 38th Street and built a Creek Turnpike connection ramp. The City has also widened roughly a half mile of 101st Street in front of Events Park, expanded trail connections, constructed a pedestrian bridge, installed lighting, stormwater detention, and landscaping, with assistance from the Design Engineering Firm Kimley-Horn and Construction Management by Crossland Heavy Contractors.

The City of Broken Arrow's portion of the amphitheater project, known as The Events Park Infrastructure Project, is nearly complete, with only some sidewalk installation, the completion of the new 43rd Street connecting Events Park to 91st Street where it meets State Highway 51, and final punch-list items remaining before the project is finished right on schedule.

"As construction continues to rapidly advance, we are targeting open season in the fall of this year and look forward to announcing our first shows here in the coming months," said Will Hodgson, President of Venu Holding Corporation. "This is an exciting market, and the industry knows it, and the performers want to be here. We are ready to start putting shows on the calendar and bring world-class entertainment experiences to this community."