New Life Coming to An Old Stage in Hannibal

The sounds of music could return to a structure that has sat quietly along the banks of Bear Creek for nearly 20 years.
The Hannibal City Council voted Tuesday night to sell the city-owned amphitheater to the Jaycees for $100. The Jaycees will disassemble and relocate the steel canopy from its current location south of Nipper Park,  to the Jaycee stage on South 3rd Street.
The Hannibal Jaycees approached the council two weeks ago with an offer to buy the structure for $5. That proposal was tabled for further study of an appropriate selling price.
City Manager Jeff LaGarce says the amphitheater site has become very isolated without bridge access. The estimated cost for the city to dismantle it is $2,000 plus land easement fees estimated at $1500. Estimated revenue from scrapping out the metal is around $600.  LaGarce says in this case, the $100 selling price is fair since the Jaycees are in fact, performing a service for the city. The Jaycees have already begun negotiating with an adjacent property owner in order to gain access to the site.
Adrienne Abright, President of the Hannibal Jaycees, says the structure will replace the current stage and provide more room for larger national acts. The amphitheater brought some big-name acts to Hannibal in the 80’s and 90’s, including REO Speedwagon and Air Supply.

Abright says the structure now has the potential to once again be used for public enjoyment.