Canyon Theater project proposed for Colfax

A presentation for an outdoor amphitheater project at Colfax's old town dump was met with both applause and complaint during Dec. 12's City Council meeting. The project, tentatively titled Canyon Theater, would host local orchestras, college troupes and touring groups from May through September. A temporary structure would be erected for this coming summer so that both the developers and the town residents can decide whether to proceed with the project — and what sorts of challenges they face. The concept is still at the fact-finding stage, but it was given a jolt of reality because of an unanticipated, larger-than-usual audience at the Dec. 12 meeting. "I was a little surprised to see the crowd there," said Greg Flessing of Fresh Air Media, who presented the proposal. "They were there to talk about the roundabout, but that put us in a full house. Folks interpreted this as us being 'almost there,' and we're not. We're just starting out." With a sweeping view of the canyon below and a hill that faces the river valley — theoretically diffusing sound away from residents — the city-owned property might be the ideal location for such a venue. Especially if it can attract tourists and music lovers from outside Colfax. "This could definitely draw people who would come up for an orchestra, a play, a canyon view under the stars," said Mayor Pro Tem Marnie Mendoza. "I'm open to discussing anything that will boost economic development in Colfax." Which, apparently, is on Flessing's mind as well. "If something attracted people to come, hike, shop and eat in Colfax, that could present some very real financial benefits to this community," he said. "You could have an identity as a place for the Bay Area folks passing through on their way back from Tahoe to stop and enjoy." Rita Dolphin, a resident of Colfax since 2013 who spoke at the meeting, is in favor of the project. "Colfax is an underserved community, especially when it comes to arts and culture," she said. "We are isolated, rural and lower income. I would love to see the area developed for family-friendly arts and entertainment." Dolphin cites the Mountainside Theater in Cherokee, N.C., which has hosted a historical retelling of the trail of tears annually for the last 70 years. "Like Mountainside, our amphitheater would be a jewel of the foothills, bringing visitors from far and wide to experience our beautiful home and fine entertainment. We need this positive draw to Colfax." But others are not so sure. Newly elected council member Trinity Burruss is concerned about a number of issues. Finances, for one thing. Who will pay for the project? And, what about the asphalt cap on the landfill? Will it hold the weight of the structure? Then there's the fact that the single-access road from I-80 is too narrow for any sort of traffic. "I'm worried about safety," said Burruss. "I don't know if the risk is worth it." Most problematic, though — if the meeting was any indication — is the potential sound pollution a concert venue will have on the Colfax residents who live nearby. Now, they live in relative quiet. Will they be subjected to pulsating amplifiers throughout the summer months? That's exactly what Reene Abbott, who lives just a stone's throw from the landfill site, is worried about. "Fresh Air (Media) maintains that any sound from rock concerts will bounce off trees and into the canyon," said Abbott. "I don't believe will happen." Abbott says she has spoken to an acoustic consultant who has said that this claim is "ridiculous," and who will survey the site next month. "I think Fresh Air is being disingenuous," she said. A typical indoor classical music concert ranges from 70 to 90 decibels. In contrast, an indoor rock concert is 100-120 decibels. (Outdoor concerts are more difficult to measure due to the diffusion of sound, but the decibels are considerably lower.) These numbers would violate current Colfax noise ordinances, however the city does suggest using trees to reduce noise — provided, of course, that there are "approximately 100 feet of dense foliage (so that no visual path extends through the foliage)." In other words, trees so dense the naked eye cannot see through them. "There is no place between the landfill and I-80 that fills that description," Abbott said. Abbott and others who live in close proximity to the landfill are considering a legal fund to fight the project, if necessary. "Everyone moves where they live because of a certain thing," said Abbott. "Moving here ensured a certain lifestyle — one that can be easily be destroyed." For newly elected Mayor Joe Fatula, a self proclaimed lover of solving problems, these challenges are easy to investigate, and should be treated as such. "I have sympathy for the residents nearby," said Fatula, "but there's a lot you can do with sound reflectors. Is it sufficient? We won't know until we try it." To do so, Fatula suggests bringing in a PA system and testing it at the decibel the performances would produce. "Then you have some actual data for under $1,000." Alternatively, said Fatula, maybe the neighboring residents can be compensated for the sound pollution with free tickets to higher-profile concerts. Whatever the case, Fatula advocates for bringing the project out of the concept stage and into the planning stage. "When you have a plan, there are actual points to discuss. Right now we're at the 50,000-foot-level, with a lot of unanswered questions. Let's get it out of the gray mush and get some numbers." But planning takes some money, because it requires studies, data collection, and time invested. "Where's the money going to come from?" asked Burruss. And is it money well spent? "I don't know for sure that people will want to come to Colfax," said Burruss. "the Colfax Theater has been empty for years. The city shouldn't invest a dime in this unless someone proves it's worth it." ________ For Fresh Air Media's Greg Flessing, the split reaction to his project is anticipated. But he stresses that that's okay — he's not trying to convince anyone of anything. He's just trying to test out an idea. "We're knocking on doors," said Flessing, "and as long as they're open, we'll keep knocking. If the doors close, we'll stop knocking." Flessing said he has no secret agenda, that he's not trying to "ramrod" anything. If the community doesn't want the amphitheater, he will "bow out gracefully." "Those at the meeting somehow thought that this project was mysteriously moving forward, and it's not," he said. Flessing and his partner, Lorin Miller — who co-presented at the Dec. 12 meeting — have a combined skill set that's ideal for executing a project like this. Flessing has numerous years of experience working with broadcast television, multi-camera event coverage, and marketing. Miller, the Artistic Director at the Placer Pops for the last 15 years, has myriad experience conducting and performing. Both are passionate about classical music — the kind of music they want to bring to Colfax. "We're not just looking at touring groups, but local talent: the Placer Pops, William Jessup (University), local drama departments, the Reno Philharmonic — high quality, pretty music. Not the latest rock band." Lorin Miller reiterates Flessing's vision. "We're symphony and broadway people," he said. "Nothing raucous. Beautiful music, Shakespeare plays. Not rock concerts." The partners cite other small towns that have succeeded at venues like this: Red Rocks, CO; Tanglewood, MA; and Ashland, OR. Before the Shakespeare Festival started in Ashland, few had heard of the town. In 2017, a total of 381,378 tickets were sold to the festival, generating $21.9 million in ticket sales — to say nothing of the dollars those tourists spent locally during their stay in Ashland. "If little Ashland can bring in so many visitors," said Miller, "so can we. We're just as beautiful." According to Abbott, though, it's unfair to draw these parallels. Red Rocks was founded in 1906 and the Shakespeare Festival in 1935. "Apples and oranges in so many ways," she said. But Miller reiterates that it's too early to tell. ""This is just a little kernel of an idea that has no legs yet," said Miller. "If the town wants to germinate it, great. If not, we'll go somewhere else." Could Colfax be the next Ashland? Or is this merely building castles in the sky? There's only one way to find out. "Change always causes problems," said Fatula. "Some want it, some hate it. The question is, how do we change Colfax without changing its character? We need to get our key questions on a list, get answers to those questions, and then the decisions become easier. When you get past the emotion stage and get to the facts, 99 percent of people will make the same decision."