By NATHAN KING
Salina Post
It has been anecdotally referred to as "The Ad Astra Stage," "The Stage at Santa Fe and Ash" and "The New Stage." Whatever you might call it, it now has an official name.
Brad Anderson, executive director of Salina Arts & Humanities, on Monday told Salina City Commissioners that the Arts & Humanities Commission was recommending that the new stage at the N. Santa Fe Avenue/Ash Street intersection be named "City Lights Stage."
During the naming process, Salina Arts & Humanities followed city municipal naming procedures and held multiple public meetings to allow for public input. Due to the stage being owned by the city, Salina Arts & Humanities also decided against the incorporation of sponsorship in the name.
"It is a city stage. It is not a private entity or private stage. It is a city space," Anderson said.
Thanks to recent revitalization efforts downtown and the Salina Streetscape Project, multi-colored lights are now a signature element in downtown Salina. The chosen name "City Lights Stage" is an effort to be part of that same movement.
"Using the idea and celebrating light is important," said Anderson. "Highlighting the idea of a light or a beacon and showing off what the community has to offer."
If you would like to reserve the City Lights Stage for an event, contact Salina Parks and Recreation.