An amphitheater at Calhoun County Park is near completion along with a cabin for stargazers. (Photo Provided)

MT. ZION — An amphitheater and cabin for stargazers are nearly completed at Calhoun County Park.

With the new additions, the board is hoping to add events to bring more folks out to the park.

Construction of the amphitheater began in April and the work is about 80 percent finished, according to park board president Donnie Pitts.

“Our small crew is trying to work at least one day a week. We’re looking at a couple months to complete,” he said.

Along with the finishing touches, wheelchair accessible ramps will be installed.

Earlier this summer, the amphitheater saw its first event during a 4th of July Celebration.

Pitts said they are hoping to expand that event if it’s safe to do so next year.

“Next year we’d like to have an all-day music event. We’re working with some local bluegrass people to do an outside show,” Pitts said.

The park board is hoping to use the amphitheater to host more events and live music.

Because there is no longer a movie theater in Calhoun County, Pitts said they’re looking into putting up a screen at the amphitheater to show movies.

Earlier this year, Pitts announced the construction of a cabin for stargazers and other visitors of the park to be built by the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center.

Because students were released from classes early this year, Pitts said the build was pushed back, but it’s about 95 percent complete.

The cabin is built on the school campus and will be brought to the park grounds when it’s finished.

“They got another $10,000 (and) they’re going to build us a picnic shelter and that’s going to have some restrooms,” Pitts said.

Although the cabin was built for stargazers in mind, it will be available to anyone.

“This month we’d had folks from Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio to look at the stars. We still have lots of stargazers coming, everyone is practicing social distancing,” Pitts said.

With these growth projects, improving the park experience for county residents and potential tourists is a goal for the park board.

“We continue to look for other ways to fund other projects. Our board is very active to improve the park any way we can. We’re doing everything we can right now,” he said.

Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.