See how $1 million grant shined up Azura Amphitheater ahead of 2025 concert season
For four decades, Bonner Springs has resonated with the sounds of legends at Azura Amphitheater (originally founded as Sandstone Amphitheater in 1984). Now, the open-air concert venue is tuning up for a new era, thanks to a grant that’s funding a major face lift.
A $1 million SPRINT grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, funded through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, is fueling Azura’s improvements. This investment, an acronym for State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism, will directly benefit music fans attending events at the venue. “These upgrades were to reinvest in the venue and the infrastructure of the venue,” said Jamie Whitehead, general manager for the amphitheater.
Long, agonizing lines at the merchandise stands, the ones that made you miss half the opening act? Gone. The grant allowed for an additional, expanded merchandise stand. “It allows us to serve more people more quickly and get the lines moving faster,” said Whitehead. “We just have more square footage and more points of sale,” she explained. “They’re able to get the merchandise they want, get out in plenty of time to see the show.”
Other improvements include the old pit area in front of the stage, marred by deteriorating concrete, it was demolished. “We completely poured a new pit, it’s brand new,” she said. “It’s completely refinished and looks really nice.” It offers concert-goers a clean, safe, and visually appealing space for both artists and fans. New concrete walkways were also poured throughout the venue.
Backstage, where the artists prepare to take the stage and the suites where they relax, received a major overhaul. “It just makes for a more pleasant experience for the artist,” Whitehead explained, emphasizing the importance of creating a home away from home for these performers. Renovations to the suites also included upgrades to the artists’ en suite bathrooms. A new commercial kitchen, conveniently located in the same building, allows for a more custom dining experience.
The ability to share that epic guitar solo on social media will soon improve. Whitehead said the amphitheater has not offered a completely open public Wi-Fi to the concert-goers in the past, but they are in the process of revamping the internet at the facility. Whitehead said she hopes the new Wi-Fi system will be ready for fans attending this year’ s Country Stampede which takes place June 26-28. Country superstars Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert will headline the three-day music festival, which is in its second year at Azura. “It’s really more just for the customer experience and being able to communicate during the show,” Whitehead said. An added side benefit, Whitehead said, is that the customers will be able to share videos and photos on social media.
Other improvements include refurbishment of all of the venue’s blue seating, which included replacing some seats. Beyond the big projects, the grant also funded improvements including fresh landscaping, new sound-delay speakers, stage painting, as well facelifts to all the exterior concessions and merch stands, as well as the restrooms.
The result? Azura Amphitheater isn’t just cleaner and prettier; it’s a better place to experience live music. As Whitehead put it, “Hey, this place looks nice and everything looks good, and they’ve done a lot of improvements, but then this also makes my experience better coming to a show.”
New West Presentations, Inc., the venue’s management company, has ten events booked with 13 concert days so far in 2025. “We’re still working on shows and I anticipate a handful more shows that we’ll announce before the season’s done,” said Whitehead.
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