Delaware breaks ground on new performance space to localize the arts.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Boardman Arts Park broke ground on its new venue Tuesday, with aims to open the expansion next year.

Organizers said there will be a new stage constructed at the park by May, which will serve as a music venue for local artists and performers called the “Whimsy Venue.” Their goal is to get to 100,000 participants for the park, in part by creating programs that the public can take part in.

Park Director Roxanne Amidon said it's important to make concerts and live music more accessible to people in the Delaware community, and she said this is a great step toward making that a reality.

“People here really love the arts,” Amidon said. “They want to participate in those things and it's not easy to get to Columbus. An Uber back and forth is $100 each way, there's no public transport that comes up here, so it makes it difficult for people who want to participate and do these kinds of things to enjoy all of the arts. Bringing it here to our community will make it more local.”

The organizers said they hope having a venue like this will add to the value of the neighborhood and the local economy. Overall, they said the project is an effort to build up the community and the artists in it.

“We see this as being a place of importance,” Amidon said. “It'll elevate the city's reputation and the opportunities for people to be entertained. It kind of balances against our wonderful foodie downtown and will really kind of make it an entertainment mecca.”