Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

May 15, 2019

Dan Keefe (518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov

New York State Parks and SPAC Announce Completion of $1.75 Million Project to Improve Amphitheater

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center today announced that a $1.75 million project to modernize the Saratoga Performing Arts Center amphitheater is complete in time for the summer concert season. The project, funded by Governor Cuomo's NY Parks 2020 initiative to rejuvenate the state park system, renovated the amphitheater's aging balcony ramps and lighting with an elegant and safe entryway.

"Through our strong partnership with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park is time-honored destination for arts and culture," State Parks Acting Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. "I'm grateful to Governor Cuomo for this investment in SPAC, which helps position the park to welcome and support the arts in years to come."

"SPAC enjoys the privilege of a home in the middle of one of NY State's most beautiful parks," SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said. "Thanks to the important investment by Governor Cuomo and our dynamic partnership with State Parks, SPAC will continue to be an unparalleled cultural destination for the City, the Region and the Nation for decades to come." 

• Replacing the original rusting steel railing systems on four balcony ramps with modern, code-compliant systems.
• Updating the signature globe lights with high-efficiency LEDs, while also adding new handrail-mounted lighting to better illuminate the surface of the ramps.
• Installing separate dimmer circuits for ramp surface lighting and globe lighting to provide greater control to the SPAC staff, allowing for reduced light pollution of the night skies while maintaining safe egress.
• Sealing the surface of the concrete ramps with a waterproof and slip-resistant coating.
• Upgrading drainage systems to improve resiliency of the lawn during wet conditions and preserve grass.

"Summertime means another terrific concert season coming up at SPAC, which is an incredible entertainment and cultural resource for our Capital Region and entire state. This project is welcome news as it will provide numerous improvements for SPAC's Amphitheater. I appreciate State Parks Acting Commissioner Erik Kulleseid and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for this continued investment and support of SPAC," Senator Daphne Jordan said.

"I am thrilled to see the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Amphitheater improvement project completed in time for the 2019 summer season. This project will ensure the safety of SPAC patrons, while maintaining the historic character of the iconic amphitheater's architecture," Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said. "I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and NYS Parks for their commitment to this project, and congratulate the SPAC team on its completion."

"SPAC is not only a regional cultural destination, it is a national treasure, with world class arts in one of New York State's most beautiful parks," Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said. "We applaud the Governor's vision in investing in this precious resource."

The park improvements reflect Governor Cuomo's commitment to revitalizing the state park system. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to invest in park improvements. The 2019-20 State Budget allocates $110 million toward this initiative.