Amphitheater completion slated for end of month | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Lowe’s officials, Rotarians to participate in workday

Workmen from Wilkinson Family Construction place a column support in place at the new Palatka amphitheater under construction on the riverfront near the Millennium Clock Tower.
Workmen from Wilkinson Family Construction place a column support in place at the new Palatka amphitheater under construction on the riverfront near the Millennium Clock Tower.
Positively Putnam FL

Columns are rising from the poured base and work is progressing at a fast clip on the Palatka riverfront amphitheater project.

“The foundation is in, electrical is in process and the structure is in production,” Palatka General Services Director Jonathan Griffith said.

The amphitheater project was kickstarted when the city was notified in June it won $125,000 from Lowe’s 100 Hometowns program to build a revamped facility with a stage covering, lighting and sound. Another $50,000 has been dedicated to the project by the Rotary Club of Palatka, and the city of Palatka is providing support from general services staff.

Supports for the covering are rising as a frame to the St. Johns River view as subcontractors check off tasks needed for project completion each workday. The site will get a big boost Tuesday when Lowe’s employees from the Palatka store, company executives and Rotary members pitch in and help.

Local Lowe’s Manager Brian Rau said the company’s involvement and contributions of employees from his store and around Northeast Florida in a Red Vest Day work project show commitment to Putnam County.

Tuesday is “really boots on the ground,” he said, with Lowe’s employees, Rotarians and city workers laying sod, spreading mulch and beautifying the perimeter of the amphitheater 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“Lowe’s recognizes the importance of our community and small-town America,” Rau said. “A lot of the materials for this project are coming through our Palatka store. That is helping our local store, the local economy and our workers.

“The significance of this project is huge.”

The new amphitheater is replacing one that has served the community for 40-plus years but had seen its day. The old amphitheater also had Palatka Rotary sponsorship. A dedication plaque that has been all but hidden for some time notes that it is the “Frederick L. Griffin Palatka Rotary Club Amphitheater. Dedicated Feb. 23, 1980. 75th Anniversary Rotary International.” The plaque will be relocated as part of the new project.

Palatka Rotary project coordinator Wayne McClain said Rotary looks to be involved in community projects like the amphitheater that will have a wide-ranging and long-lasting impact.

Of Tuesday’s workday, McClain said, “I think this is a great opportunity for all three organizations to come together to work on this project at the riverfront. To me, it exemplifies the great teamwork that has made this project happen.”

Griffith said construction on the amphitheater structure should be complete by Oct. 31. Rau said holdups with audio and lighting equipment are likely, but the amphitheater itself will be ready for use soon.

Palatka was one of only three Florida communities selected for the Lowe’s 100 Hometowns program, which awarded $10 million split among 100 cities in 37 states for the company’s centennial. There were 2,200 applicants.