La Vista, Nebraska
La Vista Amphitheater Feasibility Study
A team that included Hunden Partners embarked on a feasibility study that featured a proposed amphitheater in La Vista, Nebraska. Interviews of key stakeholders as well as analysis of outdoor event venues in the region surrounding La Vista, market demographics, and benchmarks of comparable amphitheaters comprised the main elements of the study. The City’s delivery of a facility in La Vista aligned with Hunden’s recommendations.
Situation
Hunden Partners, together with AECOM, TRSEG, IFG, and WJHW, completed a feasibility study for a proposed amphitheater in La Vista, Nebraska. The study focused on redevelopment of the former La Vista Falls Golf Course, a site identified as suitable for a new outdoor entertainment venue. The proposed amphitheater would occupy approximately four acres immediately north of City Centre, La Vista’s mixed-use entertainment and residential district.
Approach
The team interviewed key stakeholders and analyzed outdoor event venues across the Omaha–La Vista–Lincoln region. Hunden Partners also evaluated market demographics and benchmarked comparable amphitheater facilities in Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. The local market showed strong fundamentals, including steady population growth, a younger demographic profile, higher-than-average household incomes, and a low cost of living. La Vista’s proximity to Omaha positioned it as part of the broader Omaha–Lincoln market for touring events.
Impact
The study concluded that a traditional outdoor amphitheater focused solely on touring performances was not financially feasible due to strong regional competition. However, it identified an opportunity to develop a flexible, community-oriented venue emphasizing locally driven events. The proposed Project site could support an amphitheater with a capacity of approximately 7,000 and an estimated development cost of $6.4 million. The Astro Theater opened in 2023, featuring an outdoor amphitheater with capacity for 5,500 guests and an indoor theater accommodating 2,400. The $23.6-million investment delivered a versatile, community-centered entertainment destination consistent with Hunden’s recommendations and fully integrated into the City Centre mixed-use district.
