New patio being built at Fraze Pavilion

A new patio deck is one of several new features that will greet fans at Fraze Pavilion this spring.

The new 50-by-20 foot patio area, which is being built inside one of the fountain ponds at the outdoor music venue, will be available for rent during events. It will sit on the water on the west end of the Lincoln Park Commons and will accommodate roughly 30 people at tables and chairs, according to Kettering City Manager Mark Schwieterman.

“It just gives us another added dimension at the facility, and we think it will be very popular,” Schwieterman said.

The space will be available for rent to businesses or organizations during concerts. The Fraze can also use it as a stage for live entertainment during festivals.

The upgrades, which include a new light tower and fountain replacements, come as the city of Huber Heights is on the cusp of opening the new Rose Music Center at The Heights, a $19.3 million, 4,500-seat concert venue.

Schwietermann said the new features are not a reaction to the new Huber Heights music center, and the city is optimistic about the upcoming season.

“The Fraze has been in existence since the early 90s, and we certainly have our niche in the outdoor theater market, and we’ll be using our relationships and our loyal customer base to offer great shows there,” Schwieterman said. “The Heights will be doing the same thing at their brand new facility.

Rob Scott, a Kettering City Council member said the Fraze has become a household name for every generation of music fans, and he doesn’t expect the new Huber Heights music center to impact the success of the season.

“A lot of these improvements were already scheduled before the Huber Heights music center was in the mix,” Scott said. said. “Frankly, Kettering welcomes Huber Heights into the entertainment business. But Fraze is unique, and it’s making money for the city, and everyone who comes here says, ‘Wow, this is such a great venue.’”

Concrete is being poured this week on the new patio and it should be completed in time for the concert season to open June 1.

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