Navarre amphitheater in the works

Navarre Beach could have an amphitheater similar to the one on Pensacola Beach by next summer.

Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners will consider approving a timeline and estimated cost for the amphitheater during today's commission meeting.

District 4 Commissioner Jim Melvin proposed the idea in hopes that the new venue on Navarre Beach could be used for Navarre's Concerts in the Park series during the summer. He said having the concerts in the beach instead of Navarre Park would also improve traffic congestion on U.S. Highway 98.

"I think this is an exciting opportunity for the Navarre area and opens a whole new area of tourist attraction," he said.

The new amphitheater would be located on Navarre Beach Park close to the Sound but close enough to the existing pavilions so new bathrooms wouldn't have to be built for the new venue. Melvin said the size would be comparable to the Pensacola pavilion.

The estimated cost according to a memo from County Engineer Robert Blaylock is $346,725. The funding would come out of District 4 recreational funds.

Advertising for a design consultant will take until mid-November. According to the proposed timeline, construction could begin in March and the project could be completed by July 20.