Posted by Anne Decker on Mar 06, 2019
The Lima Rotary Club is ready to move forward with the Rotary Community Stage and Park.
The Lima Rotary Club has acquired all the land it needs to move forward with the construction of the Lima Rotary Community Stage and Park in downtown Lima. The property the club now owns extends from Spring Street to Elm Street and is bounded by Union Street on the east and the backs of the Main Street buildings on the west. Demolition of the buildings currently on the property will take place this spring and summer and grass will be planted on the property while fundraising efforts are underway.
 
The amphitheater and park’s projected cost of $2.2 million will be funded in a variety of ways: we encourage all members to contribute to the project, the club is applying to the state of Ohio for grants, a GoFundMe page has been established, and a number of local businesses have committed funds. One of those is Husky Lima Refinery which presented the club with a $20,000 check at Monday's meeting. Amy Nusbaum, Senior Manager for Communications, Lima Refinery, said Husky is proud to support the project. “The refinery has been part of the fabric of this community for more than 130 years, and from our founding, we’ve embraced big ideas. The amphitheater and community green space will certainly change the landscape of downtown and add to the renewed vitality our city’s core is experiencing,” Nusbaum said. “This project has a ripple effect that includes retaining and attracting top-level employees to our city by sustaining and improving the quality of life here. We support that effort.”
 
The Lima Rotary Club has been meeting with members of the local arts community and other organizations like the Lima Family YMCA to make sure the amphitheater and park meet their needs. Committee members have also visited other amphitheaters in the region to get ideas for the design and potential uses for the facility.
 
The 800 seat amphitheater will feature a sloped AstroTurf lawn with a wind/rain canopy over the audience area. South of the amphitheater there will be a large park for community use with plenty of space for the YMCA and other organizations to hold classes and events. The existing Sonntag building on Union Street will potentially be renovated for use as restrooms and storage. 
 
Lima Rotary Club Past President Tracie Sanchez is excited to have so much community input. “We, as the Rotary Club, are excited to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Lima. There are already so many people who have helped to support this project to get it off the ground.  We cannot thank these people enough for believing in this project and knowing that this truly will be a Lima Community Stage and Park that everyone can use and be proud of.”