Smalley Park amphitheater now in place

A host of volunteers last weekend laid the ground — literally — for a brand new feature at Smalley Park that will be home to the Shawano Ski Sharks and available for other community uses.

The Ski Sharks team put down 11,500 square feet of sod on the multi-tiered design of the new Smalley Park amphitheater, completing the grass seating option for spectators.

Bleachers from the old site will also be available, and visitors can also sit comfortably on the retaining walls, which gives the amphitheater a capacity of about 500 people, according to Ski Sharks President Dave Passehl.

“The team typically draws crowds of up to 350-500,” he said. “We are curious to see how our fans will use the sitting options next year. They can sit on the walls, bring chairs, blankets, or still use the bleachers.”

The Ski Sharks have been working with the city’s park and recreation department for about a year and a half on designs for Smalley Park, where Wolf River Beach is located and where the Ski Sharks have performed for about 20 years.

The Sharks and the city split the cost of developing the park.

The amphitheater design was created by Strand Engineering.

“From there, the volunteers took it,” said Matt Hendricks, park and recreation director.

“We have so many people that were involved in making this happen,” Passehl said. “The beautiful thing is that the majority of the work was fully donated. Evenson Construction, a member of our ski team, brought his excavation crew to Shawano for the excavation. Shawano Lawn and Stone built the 450 feet of tiered sitting walls. And several others made it all come together.”

The amphitheater includes a concrete stage that is 10 feet by 80 feet.

Without volunteers and donations, the project could have cost upwards of $60,000, according to Hendricks.

The amphitheater is a little farther to the north than the previous location for the Sharks.

“Our site is further away from the MMM bridge that has caused boat pattern issues for our team for years,” Passehl said. “So, moving the site for us gives the team more room to expand our show and will add additional elements of safety with the separation from the beach.”

The Ski Sharks’ first show is typically the first or second weekend in June, but dates for the season have not yet been set.

The amphitheater was already seeing some use this past week.

“There are already kids out playing on it and running around,” Hendricks said.

Though there are no plans for other entertainment uses this year, the site could be used for concerts, shows and other uses next year by pretty much anyone who has ideas for it.

“It’s very much a public park,” Hendricks said.

Passehl’s involvement with the Ski Sharks goes back to before he was a teenager. His wife, Leah, joined the team shortly after they started dating.

“Being a Ski Shark is a commitment, like any other sport, but it is important that I can do it with my family,” Passehl said. “Our team has so many people that deeply care for the sport, the team and our community. It’s because of the volunteers and countless hours behind the scenes that this team has had success for 40 years.”