Oceanside City Council Mulls Improvements to Beach Amphitheatre

Oceanside city council considered a visionary plan for the waterfront this week. The main focus is on revamping the historic amphitheatre by the beach. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The city’s consultants presented a plan that would add roof gardens, playgrounds and parking structures to the oceanfront. But the council’s priority is to improve the bandshell by the pier. The proposed vision is a glass back wall, so the ocean behind would be part of any show.

But Daniella Marshall of the Oceanside Arts Commission objected.

Marshall : You cannot have theatre, where are you gonna put the props? What kind of backstage would you have? It looks very cute to have a transparent stage, but absolutely useless. It is truly our best venue, it could put Oceanside on the map if it’s done correctly.

The visionary plan has been a year in the making but still has no price tags attached. The council’s next step is to decide how much the city can afford, and whether new hotels being built along the front will contribute.

Alison St John, KPBS News.