By the end of the year, Lompoc residents are scheduled to have a new stage at Ryon Park for community gatherings and performances.
City Council members unanimously approved the project at the Feb. 17 meeting. The Ryon Park stage has deteriorated below accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the staff report. After reconstruction, the stage will be fully compliant and accessible for performers and guests.
“This project’s going to be a total replacement of the old stage,” Community Development Director Mario Guerrero Jr. told the council. “The ultimate goal is to bring in more events to Ryon Park, so we’re real excited about that.”
Lompoc aims to finalize the request for proposal at a City Council meeting in May or June. The 12-week construction period is set to begin after June’s Flower Festival and the Fourth of July celebration, Guerrero explained. The city dedicated $525,000 to the project from Community Development Block Grant funds.
At the meeting, Councilmember Victor Vega urged Guerrero to consider installing a roof for protection against rain and sun.
“If there is potential funding [from] a different source down the road, then we can always add a canopy over, but at this time there wasn’t enough money,” Guerrero responded.
On top of the city’s funds, the Lompoc Rotary Club made a one-time $50,000 donation to the project, which will be officially called the Lompoc Rotary Centennial Stage to honor the organization’s 100 years of service. The windbreak walls bordering the back of the stage will be decorated with images representing the city and the Rotary.
“We kind of wanted to capture the flowers, giving recognition to the Rotary Club,” Guerrero said. “And also put a little space theme.”
Rob Klug, the 2024-25 Rotary Club president, thanked the council members for their collaboration.
“Not many organizations can say they’ve been serving this community for 100 years, so it was a great honor to be able to do that,” Klug said. “We’d like to commemorate that with the stage project in the prime location of our community at Ryon Park.”
The 22-acre Ryon Park is Lompoc’s oldest, dating back to 1910 when Mary Ryon donated the original section, according to the city’s website. A venue for events like the Books and Bubbles and movie nights, Ryon Park also offers tennis courts, picnic areas, softball and baseball fields, and a playground. Visit the park at 800 W. Ocean Ave.