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The Cavendish Beach Events Centre grounds could soon be getting a new performance space, says the CEO of Whitecap Entertainment.
Ben Murphy said the production company is hoping to build a multi-level, open-air amphitheatre with a capacity for 1,500 people.
“I think it’s the right size and I think it fits maybe a hole in what Cavendish currently offers,” Murphy said. “We’re just trying to create something for the community.”
The design details aren’t final yet, but the wooden structure would be able to run year-round, Murphy said, noting that getting more use out of the festival grounds is part of Cavendish’s long-term strategy.
“I think this can check a few boxes for everybody.”
The new performance space would serve as a second stage on the festival grounds — an upgrade Whitecap Entertainment has had in mind for a while, Murphy said.
“We’ve seen the benefits over the years of investing in the infrastructure around the site and how that benefits the experience of all the people that come on the site,” he said.
“We have the ability, as we own the property, to do that. And that’s an advantage we have over other festivals.”
Murphy said the company is hoping to have the structure built by the 2026 festival season, with programming on the stage beginning in 2027. He did not say how much the project would cost.
‘A landmark venue’
While the performance space will lend itself to music performances and concerts, Murphy said the amphitheatre could also be used for comedy, theatre and community events.
“I think we can really add to the fabric of Cavendish and P.E.I.,” he said. “I think it can be a landmark for Cavendish. I think it can be a landmark venue.”
Murphy said he hopes the space will add more to the region during shoulder seasons, while also creating more opportunities for visitors in the summer.
“The live event and that experience is going to be more important than ever moving forward,” he said. “We need spaces to do that, so I think this can be that.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cbc.ca ’
