Disabled patrons

attending events at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this year will

find a pleasant surprise more room.

The amphitheater

has added box seating, and two of the spacious boxes will accommodate

up to four wheelchairs and four companion chairs, said amphitheater director

Kristi Rapson.

"Disabled

access for our patrons was not adequate," Rapson said. "Although

we met the legal requirements for disabled access, we were not meeting

the needs of our guests or the standard of excellence we set in all areas

of our customer service."

The boxes are

on two concrete platforms were constructed between the facility's permanent

seating and lawn seating to the right, and between the permanent seating

and picnic tables to the left, Rapson said.

Previously,

all the handicapped seating was at the rear of the facility, Rapson said.

So when the audience stood up, it would block the view of the handicapped

patrons, she added.

"We had

not received any complaints, but it was just something I felt we could

improve upon," Rapson said.

Patrons will

access the boxes directly from the rain shelter concourse, she added.

The architect

for the project, Don Cobb and Associates, made sure it blended seamlessly

with the existing structure, Rapson said.

"He designed

our concession and restroom expansion and added our new spotlight towers

last year," Rapson said. "It's even hard for me to remember

what is new and what was there before!"