Construction Delays Opening of MSU’s John Goodman Amphitheater

Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., recently announced that the opening of its new John Goodman Amphitheater has been delayed until late October. The project was originally expected to be completed by early summer, in time for the beginning of the 60th season of the university’s Tent Theatre program. However, local news reports that “unexpected complications and pandemic-related supply chain issues” have pushed the opening into the fall.

The project broke ground in April 2021. “We’ve been waiting for an extended period of time on a steel structure, and we wanted to make sure that the project was complete the right way,” said Dr. Shawn Wahl, Dean of Arts and Letters. “The good news is, there is an end in sight, and we’re really excited to open the new space next month.”

Matt Morris, the university’s vice president for administrative services, said that the university worked closely alongside Carson-Mitchell, inc., to work through the delays. Morris said the construction delay was caused by labor and the supply of “specialized steel trusses and the structural steel” required for such a large space.

“You don’t want to compromise any kind of quality when it comes to structural steel,” said Morris. “This is such a special facility to the university. We’re not going to compromise—we did not compromise—on that structural steel.”

Spaces4Learning previously reported that the open-air amphitheater will feature a permanent stage and 350 removable seats. The project’s budget at the time was $6.4 million, and the final product will cover 7,700 square feet.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Indiana Wesleyan University Schedules Grand Opening for New Welcome Center

    Indiana Wesleyan University recently announced that it will soon open a new Welcome Center on its campus in Marion, Ind., according to a news release. The facility will serve as the home base for prospective students and their families to learn more about the university and student life there. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for February 19.

  • Houston K–12 District Opens New Elementary School

    The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD) recently announced the completion of a new elementary school in a western suburb of Houston, Texas, according to a news release. Haygood Elementary School measures in at 110,000 square feet, has the capacity for 854 students, and is the first of three new schools scheduled to be built in the Cross Creek West community.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.