Don’t put those hard hats away just yet!…

As the CU Center renovation and construction on the new Golden Eagle Athletics Complex concludes later this summer, the construction fencing will shift over to the Nelson Amphitheatre as the beloved outdoor space undergoes 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. “The Nelson Amphitheatre will be a multi-faceted, creative space that can be utilized year-round,” said Tim Jaeger, Vice President of University Advancement.

“The upgrades are substantial,” notes Tim Odle, Vice President of University Operations. 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 high-top 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.

For Jaeger, the project represents the completion of a larger vision. “The Nelson Amphitheatre renovations fulfill a vision for worship and the performing arts that included the Borland-Manske Center and the newly expanded and enhanced CU Center for Worship and the Performing Arts,” he said.

For more information about the Nelson Amphitheatre renovation project, visit cui.edu/Amp.