Large community events such as ethnic festivals, concerts, and such could one day take place at a city-owned amphitheater. An amphitheater with a large lawn area for events along with six multi-use fields are part of the conceptual plan for the 100-acre Family Entertainment Zone.
Large community events such as ethnic festivals, concerts, and such could one day take place at a city-owned amphitheater.
An amphitheater with a large lawn area for events along with six multi-use fields are part of the conceptual plan for the 100-acre Family Entertainment Zone.
The FEZ is being pursed on city-owned land bordered by McKinley Avenue on the west, the wastewater treatment plant on the north, the Big League Dreams sports complex and future extension of Milo Candini Drive on the east, and Great Wolf and the 120 Bypass on the south.
Manteca Mayor Gary Singh said such a FEZ component would address frequent requests the city receives from community members that are involved with organizations that would like to stage concerts and other large scale outdoor events.
Singh noted it would take pressure off of Woodward Park.
The city is going through the process of determining a private sector partner to develop the over all endeavor as well as secure restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and such building on the synergy created by Great Wolf and BLD.
The commercial aspect of the project would be developed primarily around a series of six man-manmade lakes.
The amphitheater and multi-use sports fields are envisioned for the northern edge of the FEZ project that would be difficult to secure private development.
Some of it has to do with the distance from the freeway, but the main reason is it abuts against the wastewater treatment plant.
While there are not smell issues and the nearby plant didn’t stop Great Wolf from making a $180 million investment to build its 500-room indoor water park, having the facility next door is likely to reduce its appeal.
That said, it provided the city the opportunity to create six multi-use fields for everything from soccer to softball.
The amphitheater is envisioned to be placed at the northwestern portion of the site just off McKinley Avenue along the tracks used primarily by ACE commuter train service.
It will be next to two sports fields and two parking lots.
The other four fields are to the north of the BLD site along future extensions of Milo Candini Drive and Wawona Street.
The fields would serve a dual purpose. They add needed fields for local play and could be utilized for large tournaments than are currently accommodated at the six field BLD complex.
It is not clear how many people the envisioned amphitheater would accommodate for a concert.
But considering its location along McKinley Avenue within a quarter of a mile of McKinley’s interchange with the 120 Bypass, traffic isn’t likely to be a major issue.
Amphitheater breaks ground
this year at River Islands
In Lathrop, River Islands is breaking ground this year on an amphitheater for concerts for up to 3,400 spectators a venue along the San Joaquin River with Mt. Diablo as part of the backdrop.
It’s the emerging plan for the River Islands at Lathrop town center as you cross the San Joaquin River from River Islands Parkway.
The 6.7-acre amphitheater is going where temporary soccer fields are located adjacent to the Islands Field for baseball that opened in 2020.
The 18,700 square-foot Redwood Cafe & Events Center is going to the west of the amphitheater.
Both — just like the baseball field — are nestled against the 300-foot-wide levee with an 18-mile walking and pedestrian path encircling the 15,001-home planned community.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
