THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605140094
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Grand Opening Report
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
Here are a few statistics comparing the new Virginia Beach Amphitheater (VB) with its nearby, comparable venues - Classic Amphitheater in Richmond (RICH) and Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh, N.C. (RAL):
How many seats?
VB: 7,500 fixed seats, and space for 12,500. Total: 20,000.
RICH: 6,400 fixed seats, and space for 3,800 on the lawn. Total: 10,200.
RAL: 7,000 fixed seats, and space for 13,000 on the lawn. Total: 20,000.
How large is the stage?
VB: 120 feet by 60 feet
RICH: 100 feet by 60 feet
RAL: 100 feet by 65 feet
How far from stage to farthest fixed seat?
VB: 200 feet
RICH: 240 feet
RAL: 200 feet
How many toilets on the site? How many women's versus men's bathroom stalls?
VB: 176 for women; 80 for men. Total: 256
RICH: 86 for women; 40 for men. Total: 126
RAL: 106 for women; 54 for men. Total: 160.
How high is the hill in the lawn area?
VB: 60 feet
RICH: 30 high
RAL: 42 feet
How many concession areas will there be?
VB: Two major stands, three permanent kiosks, plus 12 to 16 vendors.
RICH: Four major stands, plus five kiosks.
RAL: Two major stands, plus 10 kiosks.
How many and what size video monitors will be used?
VB: Three 10-by-13-foot video screens pointed to the lawn; two additional 10-by-13-foot monitors for rear reserved seating area.
RICH: Two 9-by-12-foot video screens for rear half of the reserved seating area and the lawn.
RAL: Three 9-by-12-foot video monitors for the lawn; two additional 9-by-12-foot monitors for rear reserved seats.
How many parking spaces?
VB: 6,700
RICH: 7,000
RAL: 7,000
How many picnic tables?
VB: 90
RICH: 30
RAL: Have them in two areas; total not available.
How much surrounding acreage?
VB: 96 acres
RICH: On the 315-acre Virginia State Fairgrounds.
RAL: 77 acres
When did it open?
VB: Today
RICH: June 3, 1992
RAL: July 4, 1991
How much it cost upon completion?
VB: $17.5 million; $10.5 million from Virginia Beach, and $7 million from Cellar Door
RICH: $4 million; a $3 million expansion is due for completion in June.
RAL: $12.5 million
How many seasonal jobs are created?
VB: nearly 700
RICH: 300
RAL: more than 500
Number and capacity of box seats?
VB: 60 boxes with 4, 6 and 8 seats.
RICH: zero
RAL: 40 boxes, with 4, 6 and 8 seats.
Cost for a box seat for a year?
VB: $9,000 to nearly $20,000; all are sold out for this season, with a waiting list of 30.
RICH: information not available
RAL: information not available
Cost for a season pass?
VB: $1,475 to $1,975
RICH: not offered.
RAL: information not available
In the general admission lawn area, how much room is being allotted per person?
VB: 9 square feet
RICH: information not available
RAL: information not available
SOURCES: Ken McDonald, general manager, Classic Amphitheater in Richmond, and Strawberry Hill, the nonprofit organization that owns Classic Amphitheater; Rene Anderson, publicist, Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh, N.C.; Carol Commander, vice president, Sponsorships Unlimited in Virginia Beach; and various officials at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH AMPHITHEATER STATISTICS < by CNB