Sun Valley Co. owner Earl Holding has formally agreed to help create a 1,500-seat pavilion for the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.
Holding made the commitment public during the symphony's final performance of the 2006 season on Monday, Aug. 14.
The pavilion would replace the large, seasonal tent now used for the symphony on the lawn along the east side of the Sun Valley Lodge. It would include a stage, covered seating and an outdoor lawn area.
Beyond that, no details have been worked out.
"Earl's agreed to discuss it with them and to partner with them," Sun Valley Co. Marketing Director Jack Sibbach said. "How that partnership will work is anybody's guess right now."
Mary Jo Helmeke, the symphony's acting executive director, said discussions between the symphony and Sun Valley Co. on building a pavilion have been occurring on and off since 1994.
She said a permanent pavilion should provide concert attendees with better views, better acoustics and better rain protection. She said the design should include tiered seating to a raised lawn area in back for picnickers.
Both Helmeke and Sibbach said there have been no discussions on funding the structure or on a construction schedule. Helmeke said she assumes Sun Valley Co. will pay most of the cost, since the company will own it.
"This is their ball game," Helmeke said. "They'll be using it a lot more than we will."
Sibbach said he expects the pavilion to be a venue for lots of events besides the symphony.
"For the sales department, we're very excited about this," he said.
In a letter to symphony President Carol Nie, Holding called the relationship between the symphony and the resort a "powerful and positive" one.
"I look forward to taking this vision to the next level and working with the symphony to create a pavilion structure that will be worthy of the world-class orchestra and directorship that we have enjoyed so enthusiastically these past weeks," Holding stated.
Sun Valley Co. owner Earl Holding enjoys a laugh with his wife, Carol, during a recent stay in Sun Valley, where the couple maintains a residence. Photo by David N. Seelig
