PEORIA, Ill. — Donovan Park is being looked at as a future home for an 18-acre performing arts venue.
The Peoria Park District Board of Trustees gave permission to park district staff Wednesday night to negotiate a formal agreement for a long-term lease and use of up to 18 acres in the park for the construction and operation of a performing arts pavilion.
Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill says events of all kinds will happen at the venue, with capacity between 1,500 and 2,000.
“You think of it as some sort of artistic experience, then it’s something that can happen in the park,” said Cahill.
Cahill said for every dollar spent on tickets for an event, an extra $12 is spent throughout the community.
In October 2019, the park district was approached by the non-profit organization, Pavilion Arts Centre Ltd., focused on building a unique covered indoor/outdoor Performing Arts Pavilion in Peoria.
Since then, the group has worked on the development of a design that accentuates the amenities in Donovan Park and that fits within the vision and mission of the Peoria Park District.
Pavilion Arts Centre Ltd. presented to the Board of Trustees Wednesday night with an overview of the pavilion’s design, environmental solutions and it’s financial sustainability.
“This is a privately funded project,” said Cahill. “The group plans to operate the facility on their own.”
“The only minimal cost that might exist for the park district might be any infrastructure changes that have to happen around the park, but that is a very small percentage of the total campaign.”
The 18 acres proposed to be used for the pavilion would be in the southeast corner of Donovan Park.
Full interview with Emily Cahill:
