Stephen Foster drama amphitheater renovation bids top $900,000

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Friday, June 8, 2018 — On Wednesday, Nelson Fiscal Court opened bids for the permanent renovations needed at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre at My Old Kentucky Home State Park.

Judge Executive Dean Watts said he’ll present the county’s bids for the drama amphitheater renovations at the next Fiscal Court meeting. BCD submitted a bid of $922,000 for the overall project.

The price tag for the complete renovation is $922,000, according to Judge Executive Dean Watts. That was the bid submitted by BCD Construction of Bardstown.

The scope of work will include the complete demolition and replacement of the stage, the existing sets and backstage areas, some of which date back nearly 60 years. Work on the permanent improvements will begin after the summer season use of the facility is concluded.

Watts said the bid opening gives the community a fundraising target. Some local businesses and industry have already promised their support, either financial or in-kind donations, to update and modernize the amphitheater.

The bids will be presented to Nelson Fiscal Court at the court’s next meeting on Tuesday, June 19th.

And a reminder, the drama’s 60th season kicks off Saturday evening. For information about attending the opening or other events at the facility, go to www.stephenfoster.com.

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