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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jun 19, 2012 at 5:15 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2012 at 6:45 PM CDT

WATERLOO, Iowa — The city of Waterloo is investing about $30 million to make the downtown riverfront area of that city more attractive. A big part of that effort is opening to the public at the end of the month.

The latest addition to the civic scene in Waterloo is the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Arts Mall and Splash Pad for kids. It’s located next to the Waterloo Center for the Arts, at 225 Commercial Street. The city will welcome the development with a dedication on Friday, June 29th followed by two days of art shows, music, dancing and fun along the Cedar River.

Residents and visitors both appear anxious to try out the new facilities that dominate one section of the riverbank in the downtown area. The Waterloo Center for the Arts is in charge of programming the new civic space. Assistant director Kent Shankle said he already has lots of ideas. “It’ll be space available for weddings and private events, fund raisers and art festivals. It’s a perfect setting for everything people could want and need,” Shankle said.

The city of Waterloo started work on transforming the riverfront area with local and state dollars several years ago. The facilities opening up on the 29th cost about $7 million and represent a quarter of all the investment. The final big ticket item is the privately-funded Sportsplex that recently started construction.

Elaine Rosenau, who was visiting the arts center with a grandchild, said she’s anxious to try out the new entertainment area along the river. “We’ve been waiting for a long time and I think it will be a great thing for the city,” Rosenau said.

Another arts center visitor, Kristi Martin, added “the grand opening weekend, we’d like to come down and check it out.”

Those who do come for the grand opening, June 30th and July 1st, will find two full days of music, dancing, art shows and other entertainment. That’s just the start as organizers say they’re still thinking of all the things they can do along the banks of the Cedar River.

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