VENTNOR

Ventnor approves band shell contract, announces summer concerts

Saturday, January 11, 2025

McLees Architecture's original design for the proposed bandshell at the Newport Avenue beachfront park.

VENTNOR – The ink is barely dry on a contract to build a new band shell at the Newport Avenue beachfront park, and the city has already released a long list of special events and free concerts planned for the summer season.

After scaling back the band shell design a third time, the Board of Commissioners Thursday, Jan. 9 awarded a $233,000 contract for Massett Building Company of Egg Harbor Township to build the stage where musicians perform for the Summer Beach Jam concert series.

According to Mayor Tim Kriebel, the band shell design was once again modified to be more affordable. The first design garnered bid estimates as high as $747,000.

“For concerts you don’t sell tickets for, it’s hard to make that up,” Kriebel said.

The new design was simplified but will still serve its purpose, have a unique shape and make a statement, he said.

“Over time, we can add plantings and accessories, so it works best for the concert series,” he said.

The city has been working to replace the aging gazebo that once stood along Newport Avenue for more than two years. The first design created by William McLees Architecture of Somers Point promised to “float like a butterfly” above the sandy beach behind the Ventnor Cultural Arts Center and Community Building.

After the first round of bids received in June 2024 came in much higher than expected, the board rejected them and scaled back the plan to lower costs. A second round of bids received in October were also rejected and the project scaled back a second time. The third round of bids received Dec. 31, 2024 was a charm, coming in within budget, Kriebel said.

The city received six offers from a high of $437,277 with Massett as the lowest bidder.

Commissioner of Finance Maria Mento asked the board to remind the public about the original bid amount.

“You are also taking the interests of the residents and taxpayers when spending money,” she said.

The project is being funded through several bond ordinances approved years prior, a $50,000 state recreation grant, and the Ventnor Beautification Committee has pledged $75,000 toward the cost.

Although the project was not able to be completed for the last summer season, arrangements were made to hold the concerts at Ski Beach. However, public outcry demanded the concerts stay at Newport Avenue and the city erected a temporary stage.

The city is now confident the project could be completed by Memorial Day.

Meanwhile, Ventnor Special Events announced its lineup of community events and concerts for the summer season.

Summer Beach Jam concerts will be held Saturday evenings at the new bandshell June 28, July 8, 12 and 19, Aug. 7, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

On Wednesday evenings, Sunsets at Ski Beach concerts will be held June 25, July 2, 9, 16 and 30, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Movie Nights will be held at Ski Beach Monday, June 30, July 28 and Aug. 25.