| Press Release |
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| August 30, 2006 |
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Oregon Coast Outdoor Amphitheater Project Underway With Help From Oregon National Guard Engineers
Friday Sept. 8, 2006 will mark the ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremony for the Newport Literacy Park Amphitheater located at 370 W. Olive St. behind the Newport Public Library in Newport, Ore. The ceremonies will take place at 1:30 p.m.
The 224th Engineer Company of the Oregon Army National Guard will assist in concrete work, setting up lighting and general construction of the amphitheater. Most of the construction will be organized through the Newport Rotary Club, the City of Newport and local businesses.
According to Lt. Bessman, Commander of Detachment 1/224 Engineer Co., Rob Thompson of the Newport Rotary has been "spearheading" much of the project.
To date, 224 engineers have assisted in much of the preparations for construction of the outdoor theater including the removal of debris, such as tree stumps, and several timber retaining walls.
The amphitheater, expected to be roughly thirty feet by thirty feet, will provide a setting for string quartets, storytelling, author visits and other events.
The park, formerly known as Green Thumb Park, was approved for renaming during a July meeting of the Newport City Council when former Newport Rotary Club President Dick Fowler presented the idea. According to the minutes of the meeting, future growth is anticipated for the outdoor theater via "installation of conduit and piping". Construction of the amphitheater will be funded by the Newport Rotary Club.
The amphitheater is only one of the many projects the 224th engineers have worked on. This summer, the 224 engineers spent a few weeks surveying and constructing a septic system for the Morrow County OHV Park in Heppner, Ore.
The Newport National Guard armory, originally home to an infantry company, now belongs to Detachment 1 of the 224th Engineer Company.
Contact Info: Lieutenant Joseph Bessman at (503) 535-7439
Contact:
Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office
503-584-3917
Kay Fristad
503-584-3917
cell 503-931-5179
Capt Mike Braibish
503-584-3886
cell 503-932-5805
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