Two projects are on the horizon for the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau and the City of Elizabethtown.

During a joint meeting on Wednesday morning, the two groups discussed the Elizabethtown Trail Plan project and the construction of an amphitheater.

First, in 2015, discussions began about the Trail Project, which would build a multipurpose path from Interstate 65 to downtown Elizabethtown. A study was completed the next year and community participation was invited prior to planning the project. The cost of the project was then estimated at around $ 7 million.

Now the project is once again the focus of city and tourism interests for Elizabethtown.

Tourism director Janna Clark called the trail project an “enormous asset” for the community.

“From a tourist point of view, it’s another attraction for us here in E’town. Families visiting here and staying in our hospitality corridor … are always looking for activities, ”she said.

Tourism Board member Patrick Clark said the trail project was great for tourists, and more importantly, for Elizabethtown residents.

The amphitheater, with a capacity of 5,000 to 7,000 people, is another capital project that Mayor Jeff Gregory would like to see. He said the city has identified several potential sites to be explored for this facility, which will cost approximately $ 10 million.

During the joint meeting, tourism officials said they were on board to pay for the trail project, while city officials agreed to pay for the construction of the amphitheater, which is just a concept at the time.

The 2021-2022 tourism budget approved on Wednesday included around $ 650,000 for the trail project. The total tourism budget is around $ 8.1 million, including a $ 2.6 million bond for Elizabethtown Sports Park and around $ 700,000 for running the sports park.

Once the city’s Buffalo Lake Restoration Project is complete, tourism could begin the trail project and work with the city on offerings and other details.

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