The Nelson Amphitheatre Renovation

Reimagining the Nelson Amphitheatre

Concordia’s Nelson Amphitheatre is undergoing an extensive renovation beginning summer 2026. Concordia’s Board of Regents approved the project at its May 2026 meeting, and the momentum is already strong. With over $5.1 million in pledged gifts, funding is 75% of the way toward the goal of fully funding this project.

The Nelson Amphitheatre has long been a gathering place for outdoor worship, concerts, new student orientation, countless meetings and events, and of course theatre productions. The renovation will honor that spirit while dramatically expanding what the space can do, creating a multi-faceted, creative space that can be utilized year-round.

The Renovation

The stage will be doubled in size and anchored by a 25-foot back wall, with a grid structure overhead to support professional audio, visual, and lighting capabilities, all while preserving the open-air character that makes the “Amp” so distinctive. Shade sails will be added over the audience area to provide relief from the Southern California sun. Seating capacity will expand to 365 fixed stadium seats, with room for an additional 150 guests at hightop tables or in flexible lawn seating.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated control room will house equipment that no longer needs to be set up, broken down, or weatherproofed for every event. A new restroom facility will also serve the broader campus, and the space will be fully ADA accessible.

The project represents the completion of a larger vision for worship and the performing arts that includes the Borland-Manske Center and the newly expanded and enhanced CU Center for Worship and the Performing Arts.

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