Chautauquans pass through the Amphitheater security perimeter July 2 outside the CHQ Store while walking to Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara’s morning lecture.
CODY ENGLANDER
Staff Writer
Amid recent changes to the Amphitheater’s security perimeter, Chautauqua Institution will evaluate a proposed change to the physical gate barrier to extend the perimeter in a more permanent way.
“The current installation of the temporary gates addresses some of the security concerns, but is not great from a patron experience standpoint,” Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh said. “… Now we realize, in order to continue concessions and to make sure that we have good safety at the outside perimeters, it probably makes sense to move the perimeter of the Amphitheater out, including Odland Plaza, and make that permanent.”
The proposed modifications come following changes made to the security perimeter this season, including a widening of the perimeter to include the new CHQ Store and additional restrooms in Hultquist Center to accommodate for concessions being sold in Odland Plaza. With the additions, Keogh said security remains Chautauqua’s primary concern.
“We want to find the right balance of feeling people have a sense of community and calm while they’re here, while making sure people also feel safe and secure,” Keogh said. “There are groups that look and say, ‘I see the guns,’ and they’re like, ‘This is not the Chautauqua I know and love,’ but we have to reflect the world that we’re actually in and the threats that we actually see.”
One of the potential options, according to Keogh, is to extend the gates in the back of the Amphitheater and make sure they are “high enough to be a deterrent,” while still maintaining the ability to open the gates up in certain areas.
“I think whatever we do, we want to be really thoughtful about the aesthetics of Chautauqua,” Sam Nelson, director of business development, said. “… So, whatever we were to do, be very thoughtful about how that looks aesthetically, that space that we’ve designed over there, and make sure it is a good experience for everybody.”
Despite efforts to keep the Chautauqua aesthetic, challenges have arisen when looking at how to implement new changes within the perimeter.
“We’ve heard some feedback on the egress, that we make sure that there’s enough space in those, and I think Sam and team have already adjusted that to make sure that people have enough space to get out at night,” Keogh said. He noted that some of these security changes come after the addition of concessions in the Amphitheater, which Keogh said he views as a success.
“We haven’t had any negative impacts from [Amp concessions], no incidents of things we’d be concerned about,” Keogh said. “At the same time, for folks coming in from the outside, it’s been an enjoyable part of being able to go to a concert and have a drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, and a little bit of food.”
Following the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees meeting Saturday, Keogh said he plans to speak with the community about any potential changes.
“While the community’s here during the summer, we always feel it’s better to have that discussion while everyone’s here,” Keogh said.
At 1 p.m. on July 27 in Smith Wilkes Hall, the “Conversations with Kyle” public forums will continue.
