University of Virginia Library

Colloquium

Restore It!

By DAVID HAWKINS

(A second-year man in the
College, Mr. Hawkins is a
member of the Arboretum
Committee –Ed.)

Recently, the Arboretum
Committee learned that the
Parking and Transit Committee
was considering the removal of
cars from the McIntyre
Amphitheater.

Our committee favored
removal of parking,
accompanied by complete
restoration of the amphitheater
to its original condition.

Less than one week later
Student Council unanimously
drafted a resolution asking that
the amphitheater restoration
be given "highest priority,"
meaning before the '73-74
academic session.

Little has been said about
the future of the University's
worst eyesore since.

On May I parking spaces
will be offered for rent to
faculty and staff for the
'73-'74 session. I hope the 45
spaces in the amphitheater will
not be available. Elimination of
this parking facility could
inconvenience those people
presently using the
amphitheater. Under existing
parking rules, these persons
would be given priority for
choosing other spaces
convenient to their offices.

However, the real issue is
the amphitheater's long range
future, not a paltry 45 parking
spaces. Reliable sources
indicate that plans for the
amphitheater include such
suggestions as replacement by
an underground parking deck,
built with a grass top for
aesthetic appeal.

Such suggestions are
efficient. However, many years
ago, Mr. McIntyre gave a huge
sum of money to the
University for construction of
an amphitheater and pursuit of
the arts. He surely didn't foresee
its deterioration, use as a
parking lot, or replacement
with "something more
desirable."

Restoring the amphitheater
would cost a lot less than any
of the long range plans
proposed.

Officials point out that no
one has expressed interest in
using the amphitheater. In
spite of its condition, the
University Union sponsored a
concert there on October
21,1972 that was broadcast
live over WTJU. They found
that acoustics in the
amphitheater ter we e
outstanding. However, the
poor condition of the lighting,
dressing rooms, backdrop,
organ, and the presence of
pavement discourages use of
the facility.

Possible uses of the
amphitheater include dramatic
productions, Glee club
concerts, University Union
events, and even for guest
speakers as a welcome change
from dingy Cabell Hall
Auditorium. With a seating
capacity of 3600, the
amphitheater is the answer to
the ever expanding University's
need for an outdoor facility.

If restored, the
amphitheater could be an
impressive and unique facility,
the likes of which few colleges
can match. The appearance of Mr.
Jefferson's lawn is severely
detracted from by its present
condition. A reordering of
priorities by University
officialdom seems appropriate.