An amphitheatre that could seat about 200 people overlooking Dutch Lake is one of the highlights of a draft concept plan for the Dutch Lake beach/Bampton Recreation Area.
The plan was presented during an open house held by District of Clearwater and Urban Systems on Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Dutch Lake community center.
Bampton Recreation Area, which is located east of Dutch Lake beach, was acquired by the municipality from the Bampton family several years ago.
Under the terms of the agreement, the lower portion of the property near the lake must remain in more or less a natural state, said James Giddings, a consultant working for Urban Systems.
Use of the upper portion is more flexible, however. An amphitheatre located next to Dutch Lake Motel would overlook the lake and have a multitude of possible uses.
Parking between the amphitheatre and Old North Thompson Highway would provide space for people using the amphitheatre plus overflow parking during events at the beach.
The would avoid expanding the existing parking area at the beach, thereby saving “prime real estate” for beach users.
A pedestrian thoroughfare, possibly three or four meters wide, would run from the amphitheatre down to the beach.
This would allow people to walk easily from one area to the other, plus serve as alternative emergency access.
An existing trail that runs through the lower portion of the Bampton property would be improved, and short spur trails would lead to viewpoints along the lake.
Possibly there could be in memoriam benches for people to sit on and watch the water.
A multi-use building with concession plus a pier would anchor the west end of the beach next to Jasper Way Inn.
A gazebo and second pier would anchor the east end of the beach.
There would be a boardwalk across the top end of the beach to connect the two.
These are all just ideas that the consultants and District of Clearwater would like feedback from the public on before they finalize their plans, Giddings said.