Centennial Amphitheatre faces challenges, foes

Debut of movie program contrasts with worst cases of vandalism in years

For a venue built for fun times, not everything has been fun lately.

The Centennial Amphitheatre, gathering point for countless events has some milestones in the works this summer, among them, a brand new series of movies and the continuation of this year's Summer Concert Series.

However, during the same period of time, authorities have spent a considerable amount of money repairing the damages left due to vandalism.

On the plus side, the upcoming start of a "Movies in The Park" program has those in charge of the amphitheatre and of the event raving.

Put together by Parks and Recreation commission member Brent Kirwan, and authorized by the city, it will show one hit movie for free each Friday starting on July 16 through Aug. 13, and another one on Aug. 27. Start time has been described as "when it's dark enough to show the movie."

The list of movies has not been released yet, but they are expected to be proven hits from years past. Kirwan said that the movies "would not be bad."

Kirwan said he got the idea for the program last year after watching a scene from a movie called "The Wedding Planner," where people appear watching a film in an outdoor park. He said that it looked like a neat idea, and since it looked back then like the city would not have a concert series because of a lean budget, he approached city authorities with the idea.

"(Kirwan) came to me and asked what would it take to let him run (the movies)," said Parks and Recreation Department Director Spencer Grigg. The answer was to have insurance, which the city was happy to provide, joining as co-sponsor, he said.

Kirwan's company Re/Max Real Estate is the prime sponsor, chipping in with the funds needed to bring the program to reality, from speakers to a projector to a big screen which used to belong to the old Fox Theater in Spokane, Kirwan said.

"We are borrowing here, begging there, putting it all together," he said. "We are trying to give families in our area an event to go that is fun and inexpensive."

A concession stand will be available during the movies, and people are encouraged to bring their blankets or chairs. The money from the concession stand will go towards paying movie licensing fees. Should any actual profit be made, Kirwan said, the money will go into the Children's Miracle Network, though he said he "could not imagine" the program making a profit just yet.

Although this is the first year of the program, Kirwan said he was optimistic that the program is popular among families, that it could become another summer tradition, in the style of the Summer Concert Series, whose fourteenth season kicked off last week.

"We would love to bring it back," he said. Grigg shares in Kirwan's optimism, as well.

"We are in the business of having fun, and the movies sounded like fun," he said.

What is not nearly as fun is the beating the venue which hosts both the concerts and will host the movies has been taking as of late. Repeated cases of vandalism have the authorities worried.

"This sort of thing has peaks and valleys," Grigg said, "and it appears that we are at a peak."

A "frustrated" Grigg said the city is spending money repairing things instead on spending it on activities for the communities.

The latest cases of vandalism have included a group of cyclists who, in Grigg's words, have defaced the facility, leaving skid marks and ruts on the grass, and using the replacement sod as a ramp. Damages are estimated to be more than $1,000, Grigg said

Other incidents include missing pavers, the burning on the stage of the American flag, the state flag and the flag remembering prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. Still, Grigg remains undaunted.

"We intend to catch those responsible and prosecute them," he said.