Knox Mayor Elaborates on Performance Stage Plans

Wythogan Park Performance Stage rendering
This rendering of the performance stage in Wythogan Park shows the location of the proposed amenity to the northeast of the entrance facing U.S. 35.

Knox Mayor Dennis Estok is turning his focus to building an ampitheatre at Wythogan Park now that the splash pad is complete. During last night’s town hall meeting, Estok said the new amenity has been an unparalleled success.

His goal is to promote Knox and give both residents and visitors things to do.

“We’re bringing people from the outside into our community. I had one business owner tell us that he thought his business is doing a little bit better, because he sees strange faces in it now. Before he never did that,” Estok said.

He hopes to build on that momentum with the addition of a band stage at the park.

“I think that’s going to be a big asset for the community if we use it in the right way, Estok said. “It’s just not for music. I’ve had people ask me if they can perform wedding ceremonies on it, magic shows, you name it. It’s going be used a lot, I believe. Hopefully that’s going to draw people inside.”

Estok hopes to have the engineering designs for the performance stage this week. He says that will determine the next steps for that project. The budget will be based on how much concrete work and other labor the city can get donated. Estok estimates a total price tag of $100,000 if the city has to pay to have all of the work done.

He should have more information for the Knox City Council by their Aug. 23rd meeting.