SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Members of the Missouri State University Board of Governors today passed a resolution giving its approval for officials at Missouri State-West Plains to seek a grant for up to $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Land & Water Conservation Fund for construction of an outdoor amphitheater.

“This project has been a goal of ours for several years,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “With the approval of the Board of Governors, we can now apply for a Land & Water Conservation Fund grant to leverage private donations we have received in order to make this dream a reality,” he said.

The 850-seat venue, which will be constructed just west of the Smith-London Centennial Bell Tower, will provide the university and the greater West Plains community an outdoor venue for spectator events, concerts, rallies, films and theatrical performances, Bennett said. Utilizing the natural terrain of the area, seating will face a theatrical-style stage, providing an enjoyable atmosphere and environment in which to view entertainment, he added.

“The amphitheater, for example, could be used an additional venue for the Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival, the signature event for the City of West Plains,” Bennett said. “The overall design will work for multiple uses, and the amphitheater would be open to use by the city and other community entities.”

Bennett said university officials have sought input from various community organizations and agencies on the project. “We are working with the City of West Plains and the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG) on the grant application, and we recently met with the Nonprofit Alliance committee to discuss possible uses for the facility and to gather community input. Members of that group expressed interest in using the amphitheater for their organization’s events that target specific age groups and suggested including various amenities and accessibility requirements. Their feedback was very helpful, and many of their suggestions will be incorporated into the amphitheater design,” Bennett explained.

The Land & Water Conservation Fund is a 50/50 grant program, meaning recipients are required to match any award dollar-for-dollar. Through a combination of $75,800 from private donors and $174,200 from West Plains campus reserves, the university has the ability to match a grant up to $250,000, Bennett said.

Although funds already have been identified to meet any grant award, area residents who would like to contribute to the project are welcome to do so, according to Joe Kammerer, director of development. “All gifts, no matter the size, will be appreciated,” he added.

To make a contribution toward the amphitheater, call the Missouri State-West Plains development office at 417-255-7240 or make a donation online.