BPU to meet Wednesday for regular meeting

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities will meet for its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 5.

The BPU will have a work session at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, followed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. May 5. The BPU finance committee will meet at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

On the agenda for the work session is a board update and general manager update, and information on the BPU bill print design.

On the agenda for the regular meeting are a public comment time, general manager and staff reports, COVID-19 update, March financial report, water operations update, miscellaneous comments and board comments.

The meetings will be conducted by telephone and the internet. Because of safety concerns with the pandemic, the BPU buildings are closed to the public.

The public may access the Zoom meeting on the internet or may call in through the telephone to listen to the meeting.

Anyone may join the Zoom meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84523139724.

Or anyone may call, toll-free, 1-888-475-4499.

The meeting ID number is 845 2313 9724.

To access the board meeting information packet, visit
https://www.bpu.com/Portals/0/pdf/board-information-packet-5-5-21.pdf.

Members of the community who wish to speak to the Board during the regular session must be logged in to the Zoom meeting via the internet using their browser or the Zoom application. Members of the public will be asked to raise their hand to signal they wish to address the board.

During the public comment section of the agenda, community members will be asked to provide their name and address and will then have 5 minutes to speak.

BPU to hold special meeting Tuesday

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 4.

The meeting will be conducted by telephone and the internet, then will move into a closed executive session to discuss personnel issues.

All of the BPU’s buildings remain closed to the public to reduce the risk of exposure for safety during the pandemic.

The public may access the meeting through the telephone to listen, and if they have access to the internet, may visit the Zoom meeting.

Anyone interested may join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84523139724.


Or anyone may call the toll-free phone number, 1-888-475-4499.

The meeting ID number is 845 2313 9724.

New name announced for amphitheater in Bonner Springs

The Providence Medical Center Amphitheater, formerly the Sandstone Amphitheater, is getting a new name this season.

The Azura Amphitheater will be the new name for the outdoor concert venue at 633 N. 130th St. in Bonner Springs, Kansas, according to a spokesman.

The amphitheater’s website now is AzuraAmp.com.

New West Presentations Inc. will continue to be the managing organization of the amphitheater, according to the announcement.

“We are thrilled to be the naming sponsor of this iconic Kansas outdoor music venue. The Azura Amphitheater partnership provides a multitude of opportunities that include unique benefits for Azura accountholders, exciting potential for Azura events, future growth and substantial economic benefits for the community. This partnership allows Azura Credit Union to reinforce our commitment to the Northeast Kansas community and support an entertainment venue we are all excited to see open again,” said Allyson Shove-Chard, vice president of marketing at Azura Credit Union, in a news release.

The amphitheater opened in 1984. Through the years, the area around 130th and State Avenue has grown, and now it is close to more entertainment, sports and dining at The Legends Outlets and Village West.

Some of the past names of the amphitheater in Bonner Springs have been Sandstone, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater and Providence Medical Center Amphitheater.

“We are proud to have Azura Credit Union as naming rights partner for the amphitheater. Azura Amphitheater is very appropriate for us since Azura means ‘blue sky.’ Azura and their staff have been wonderful to work with and we are excited to have a long and creative partnership with them for years to come. I’m also thankful to our former naming rights partner, Providence Medical Center, and the great partnership we shared with them. Providence is a community-minded hospital that is a great asset to the amphitheater and to Wyandotte County. We are looking forward to seeing you all this summer at Azura Amphitheater,” said Chris Fritz, president of New West Presentations, in the news release.

Naming rights sponsor Azura Credit Union is the third largest Kansas credit union and has served northeast Kansas for more than 80 years. It started in 1939 as the Topeka Teachers Credit Union.

According to a spokesman, the amphitheater can hold up to 18,000 visitors. The amphitheater works closely with local government officials to open safely by lowering attendance maximums and taking safety precautions, according to the announcement.

Upcoming shows at Azura Amphitheater include June 25, Styx and Collective Soul; July 17, for King and Country with Company, A Summer Tour; Aug. 3, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit; Aug. 21, Flyover; Aug. 28, Throwback Throwdown; Sept. 2, Yallapalooza; Oct. 1, The Avett Brothers; and Oct. 3, Machine Gun Kelly.

Additional shows are expected to be announced later on www.AzuraAmp.com.