CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - An exciting addition to the city of Citrus Heights is in the works, a project of the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB).

In an announcement to CHCMB band supporters, band manager Sarah Schmelzer released the good news: “It is my honor along with Bill Cook and Kody Tickner to unveil to you another momentous project that we are taking on in the Citrus Heights community! Our executive director Bill Cook will be renewing his contractor’s license one more time to begin construction on the brand new ‘Kathy Cook Amphitheater’ to be built at Rusch Park.

The newly announced ‘Kathy Cook Amphitheater’ performing arts pavilion will be the largest outdoor stage in the entire region! It will be similar in purpose to the band shell at Carmichael Park which is 55 ft. wide and 35 ft. front to back. Its shell will be over two times larger, measuring 18 ft. tall, 75 ft. wide and 65 ft. front to back! 

Schmelzer continued, “Earlier tonight [July 22] Bill, Kody Tickner, and I stood before the Sunrise Recreation and Park District Board of Directors to propose this project, and they voted unanimously to approve and support our endeavor! We will be submitting design proposals to the County of Sacramento and the City of Citrus Heights within the next week. If all goes smoothly, it is our goal to break ground on this exciting new project by the beginning of 2023. We will be looking for municipal and corporate sponsors in the coming weeks to pledge their support. 

The Kathy Cook Amphitheater will be a great addition to our wonderful city that will bring our community together to enjoy music, theater, dancing and much more”.

The Sunrise Recreation and Park District will manage the facility which will be located on Antelope Road near the Historic Rusch Home and behind one of the ball fields. It is the perfect site as it sits next to a small transformer to provide power and has public bathrooms. Besides this gift to the city, the band finally has a home of their own in which to practice. In March the CHCMB completed the Bill and Kathy Cook Performing Arts Center on Jewel Way near Twin Oaks. The new home was donated by Bill and Kathy Cook. Kathy died on August 2021 just weeks before its completion.

The CHCMB was created by Kathy Cook in 2005 to serve as entertainment for the Annual Citrus Heights Red, White, and Blue Parade until its final parade in 2019. The community band experience has grown into a year-round, all ages, all talents performing arts experience which performs 20 times a year in events such as parades, concerts, sports events and band competitions.

Band executive director, Bill Cook, will be designing and constructing the massive outdoor stage at Rusch Park in Citrus Heights, which will be dedicated to the memory of the founder of the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band, Kathy Cook!

According to Joe Isaacs, head of fundraising, this project is in the design/approval stage, and he will be going out into our community very soon to begin raising funds. Current projections show that the amphitheater will be completed by 2024. Meanwhile, the community is invited to be a part of this incredible moment in history. A massive fundraiser has begun.

CHCMB is selling special bricks for different amounts to help the fundraising effort. The bricks will make up the two pathways coming into the amphitheater and will be set below the front of the stage. Bricks purchased by businesses will be on the back of the shell.

To learn more about the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band and its future events, and how you can purchase a brick to be part of Citrus Heights history, find the link at www.chcmb.org/stage email CHCMB [email protected] or call (916) 879-6979.