New bench at amphitheater donated by guild

A new park bench has been placed at the Holiday Harbor Park Amphitheater thanks to the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild. The all-concrete bench resides near the amphitheater entrance, just above the terraced levels. Perched under a large shade tree, the bench provides a spectacular view of the venue as well as the sparkling lake behind it.

The guild-sponsored bench compliments the amphitheater project, which the guild helped back through a $25,000 donation toward its construction.

The Canyon Lake POA created the bench program to allow clubs and organizations to participate in the funding of these needed amenities. It minimizes the homeowner expense while promoting the respective organizations. These concrete seats are strategically placed in locations where community members can stop to enjoy the various Canyon Lake amenties while seated on a quality bench that serves as a long-standing monument to the club.

There are two types of benches available for clubs to fund. The backless seat, available for about $1,500, is appropriate for locations where the view could be towards either side, while the bench with a back, available for just over $2,000, is typically directed toward one view. The club logo could be added for another few hundred dollars. Additional information on the park benches is available from the POA Activities Department.

Club-sponsored benches have been around for years, but the POA has only recently been adding sites where new benches may be erected.

“The guild fully intended to participate in this POA program, but when we heard a spot at the new amphitheater was available, we jumped at the chance,” guild president Ron Martel said. “We want people to enjoy this gorgeous facility whether there is music there or not.”

The amphitheater was completed last year and was an instant hit for the community. The POA sponsored the inaugural free community event last summer, followed by two free summer concerts from the Fine Arts Guild. The guild’s summer closing event last year featured a tribute to the Rolling Stones and attracted an estimated crowd of 2,000, including those in the 100 or so boats anchored behind the stage.

This year, as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, neither the POA nor the guild will be conducting a free community concert at this location. Concerts are listed as Stage 4 for opening during the current pandemic. However, there will be some private events taking place at the venue where chairs will be set six feet apart for social distancing and masks will be encouraged. The guild asks ticket holders to their events to reference the website for logistics and more information at CanyonLakeGuild.org.

At one time, there was a small amphitheater at Holiday Harbor Park that was apparently used only once. After it suffered flood damage, it was demolished and replaced by the expanded recreation area. Several versions of a new amphitheater had been proposed by the Fine Arts Guild about 15 years ago, but with stadium seating and a canopy top on the stage proved to be too costly.

“Not knowing anything about the prior proposals,” Ron said, “my wife Leigh and I would sit on that slope and discuss how some simple terracing might make this a terrific outdoor venue.”

When Ron joined the guild board, he measured the slope, sketched it out and developed a proposal for his board to present to the POA. They all agreed, so he proposed the project to the POA, which agreed to the project, but the amphitheater project had to compete with a couple hundred other good ideas submitted by homeowners.

General Manager Eric Kazakoff and Operations Director Steve Schneider expanded the concept and drove it through the extremely challenging political process. It is generally recognized that it was Eric and Steve’s leadership and contributions that led to the final product there today, Ron said.

Fortunately, the amphitheater was immediately well received by the community and it has already become one of the iconic features of the Canyon Lake community.

“We are grateful to our guild members for their support, but deeply indebted to the POA for making this venue a reality,” Ron said.