Snow has buried the springtime unveiling of a $1.1 million addition to Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Bad weather put workers back nearly a month on the indoor concession stand and restrooms near the bottom of the steep, daunting stairway, said Jack Finlaw, director of Denver’s Theatres & Arenas.
Finlaw had hoped the work would be finished for the summer concert season, which begins June 1. Once complete, the building on the north side of the stage will alleviate the long hike up the steps for concessions and provide more restrooms for disabled patrons.
“We’re constantly doing the best we can to improve customer service and visitors’ experience, and that’s what this project is all about,” Finlaw said.
Because of the delay, workers will break for the summer and complete the interior in the fall. Food and beverage carts will be set up on a roof plaza this summer.
The addition has been in the park’s long-range plan for years, Finlaw said, following the addition of a $14 million museum, restaurant and visitors center that opened in 2003.
Waiting a little longer on the new building shouldn’t be a problem, said Kathy Dichter, a town trustee and former two- term mayor of neighboring Morrison.
The visitors center was on the books for more than 50 years, she noted, and proved well worth the wait.
“What’s a few more months?” said Dichter, who has been the liaison between the park and the town for 15 years.
The center helped make Red Rocks – and Morrison – a year-round destination.
“Business is booming at Red Rocks,” Finlaw said, noting profits were up 14 percent last year over 2004.
But not everyone is happy. The delay prolongs a wait for those who enjoy Red Rocks as a park. Portions have been closed for construction since October.
“People are being deprived the use of a beautiful park,” said Monica Gike, who runs the steps and watches wildlife.
Park neighbor Jane Buechler thinks Denver’s additional development only invites more traffic to the village of 500 residents.
“They get the money, and people here get the headaches,” said the retired teacher. “That’s a great bargain for Denver but a bad deal for Morrison.”
Dichter said that misses the big picture.
“Red Rocks is the goose that laid the golden egg,” she said. “It put us on the map.”
Red Rocks 2006 events
- 1 Easter sunrise service
- 3 private events
- 6 graduations
- 8 movies
- 41 concerts
2006 FINANCES
- $5.73 million revenues
- $4.16 million expenses
- $1.57 million profit
