Council OKs Donation for Bergfeld Park Amphitheater Reconstruction

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved acceptance of a $325,000 donation from Centene Charitable Foundation to be used toward Phase II of the Bergfeld Master Plan: the reconstruction of the park’s stage at the amphitheater. According to a news release, Centene has agreed to donate $325,000, which is the estimated project cost. According to the agreement, the funds will be distributed in two installments: one upon execution of the agreement and one upon completion of the project. The new stage at the amphitheater will be named in honor of Centene. That follows a December recommendation approved by the Parks Board to name the stage Centene Theatre. Tyler Parks and Recreation director Stephanie Rollings says the city is “thrilled” with the partnership.

The amphitheater was originally built in 1936 by a donation received from Sears-Roebuck & Co. The Tyler Sears was the only store to turn a profit during the Great Depression, leading them to give back to the Tyler community. To preserve historical recognition of the amphitheater, the existing plaque designating the amphitheater “Gen. Wood Amphitheater” will remain and only the stage will be renamed. This project is the second phase of updates to Bergfeld Park. Spearheaded by Councilman Don Warren and many community donors, Bergfeld’s playground reopened with a new design and all new equipment in the summer of 2015.