University Of West Alabama To Build 500-Seat Amphitheater

LIVINGSTON, AL — The University of West Alabama this week announced plans for a new 500-seat amphitheater on its campus in Livingston.

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UWA said in a press release that construction is expected to begin later this year on the new venue, hillside adjacent to Wallace Hall.

Chris Egbert, director of UWA’s physical plant, said the amphitheater will feature a covered stage that students will see from the sidewalk between Wallace and Gilbert Hall. The project will be paid for as part ofa $450,000 supplemental appropriation the university received last year from the state legislature.

“The top portion of the seating will be very close to that sidewalk,” Egbert said.

He then said construction is expected to start this summer, possibly in May or June, and take between six and eight months to complete.

University officials also mentioned the amphitheaters central location and ample parking options, which will allow the venue to host theatrical performances, academic classes and student activities events.

UWA President Ken Tucker said the project has been a long time coming as the university has considered different natural spaces on campus. Plans for the venue are underway, with a broad range of opportunities and accommodations being considered.

“With more than 600 acres of campus, we want to take advantage of the natural spaces that give students and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the scenic views, and this will be positioned in an area that is heavily traveled but still has an open-air, natural environment that we believe will be very enjoyable," he said. “We will be able to hold concerts and performances in the amphitheater, host different types of programming and student events, use it as an outdoor classroom, and several other academic activities. We are grateful for this appropriation from the State of Alabama and the opportunity to add this unique venue to our campus and serve students and visitors for many years to come.”

Egbert said temporary construction fencing will be installed around the site and a portion of the sidewalk in the campus’ center will be blocked off. Whats more, part of the Wallace Hall parking lot may be used temporarily for storage of equipment and building materials.

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