July 26, 2005
The city's newest entertainment venue is scheduled to welcome guests July 27, but, if you've seen the construction it looks far from complete. Is the blistering heat to blame?
Tomorrow is the big day. The Charlottesville Pavilion welcomes Tiny Universe at 8 p.m. But will the Pavilion be ready in time? Officials say this downright dangerous heat could be affecting the construction crew.
"It's too hot," said a construction worker. Construction at the Charlottesville Pavilion is moving along slowly, despite the debilitating heat.
"The heat is unbearable. Everybody is just staying hydrated. We've got lots of water stations set up [and] a couple places where guys can go and actually hose off, but it's tough," said General Manager Kirby Hutto.
Hutto said the pavilion will be open July 27, but the construction won't be 100 percent complete until much later.
"There is still a couple phases of construction we've got to get through. Seventh Street will not be done until the end of August so our whole concession plaza will not really be showing itself until September."
However, the show must go on. Crews will be working late into the evening putting the finishing touches on the stage and the walkway of the amphitheater, which is designed to hold 3,500 seats. 2,500 seats are available under the tent and box seats, and 1,000 lawn spaces.
Officials said with soaring temperatures most guests will prefer the covered seating.
"With our project we're going to be removing that weather factor from your planning. So [when the weather is hot] like today, when you're underneath the shade there, it's about 15 degrees cooler," he explained.
While the tent will be breezy for the concert goers, it will also make rainouts a thing of the past.
The seats are also weather-proof. They are folding chairs that will be set up and down, and stored away for every show.
Charlottesville Pavilion: Let the Show Begin? 