Broken Arrow amphitheater to get ‘wind walls,’ year-round shows

By John Dobberstein, Editor

Several changes are being considered to the construction plans for the Sunset Amphitheater in Broken Arrow, Venu said Tuesday in an update before the City Council.

Rather than holding a concert season from October through April, Venu is adding structures and heating so events can be held there year-round, said Roger Mudd, vice president of construction and expansion for the Colorado-based company.

This includes 4 large wind walls on each side of the amphitheater designed to cut down on wind effects on attendees, and this will also bring a “significant reduction” in the noise leaving the facility, he said.

The walls, paired with radiant heat, means operators will be able to raise the temperature to 65-70 degrees F for about 5,000 seats in the amphitheater. Venu is projecting this change to year-round activities will increase ticket sales by 40%.

The sound walls will be designed to allow for imagery to be projected on them, making them part of the multi-media experience during shows.

Venu is also moving away from its planned open-air green for general seating around the perimeter of the amphitheater in favor of bench seating to provide clear sight lines and avoid having attendees competing over space.

Mudd also said the structure for the roof had some load challenges, which will require “substantial” engineering changes to include two large steel beams and other revisions. That change, “cost us a little bit of time,” Mudd said.

Another change that was previously announced was the addition of the Aikman Club, a luxury private entertainment area near the front of the amphitheater with seating of up to 35 people.

Venu’s cost for the project, due to the changes, has risen from $74 million originally to $107 million as of this week. “But we’re excited about that investment because believe in the market and we believe the amphitheater enhancements will go a long way towards the success of this over what is going to be decades of use,” Mudd said.

All told, Mudd said, the amphitheater is expected to be open for business next April. A revised site plan for the 12,500-seat facility was filed this week and is being analyzed by the city.