Nick Wodogaza, center, President of Blythewood’s newly opened Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, presents a check for $125,000 for the naming rights to the Town’s new amphitheater to Jim McLean, left, Chairman of the Doko Meadows Park Foundation; Foundation members Martha Crawford and Buddy Price; Wodogaza; Town Councilmen Larry Griffin, Eddie Baughman and Malcolm Gordge; the Town’s financial assistant Chris Keefer and Mayor J. Michael Ross. (Photo/Barbara Ball)
BLYTHEWOOD (Jan. 26, 2017) – During a check presentation ceremony last week, Nick Wodogaza, President of the town’s newly opened Palmetto Citizen’s Federal Credit Union, made good on the bank’s pledge of $125,000 for the naming rights to the Town’s planned amphitheater in Doko Meadows Park. Town officials and donors broke ground last week for construction to begin on the amphitheater.
The outdoor entertainment venue was planned as an integral part of the Town’s Master Plan that was approved by Council in 2010. A non-profit foundation was established in 2015 to bring in donations and grants to fund construction of the facility.
The foundation received its first major contribution, a $25,000 check from Fairfield Electric Cooperative, in January 2016. That was followed by a $75,000 check from Central Carolina Community Foundation in March to purchase concert-quality sound and lighting systems.
Last June, Palmetto Citizen’s Federal Credit Union, which opened a branch office in Blythewood last week, sealed the deal on the amphitheater’s naming rights with a $125,000 offer.
“We are so happy to be here in Blythewood now, and we hope that our contribution to the amphitheater will make a difference for the community,” Wodogaza said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the amphitheater last week.
Foundation Chairman Jim McLean said the Foundation raised 80 percent of the funds to build the amphitheater in less than a year. Individual donations include a $100,000 donation from Blythewood’s Joyce Martin Hill. McLean said the Foundation only needs $60,000 more to cover the cost of the base bid of $415,893 to construct the amphitheater stage, pavilion structure and concrete pad in front of the state.
Construction is expected to be completed by mid-May.
