Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Construction Delays Opening of MSU’s John Goodman Amphitheater

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/15/22

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

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.