Basalt River Park Bandshell – Basalt, CO

Project Details

Bryan May Architecture contacted the Tension Structure Division of Eide for assistance with the fabrication of a new public Bandshell Project at the River Park in Basalt River, Colorado.  The architect's inspiration was to create an outdoor stage canopy with two intersecting half spheres to resemble a coke-oven, as seen throughout the region's industrial steel-making history.

The completion of the park was part of the final phases of the reengineering of the riverbanks and redevelopment of the local community to bolster a growing performance art scene.  The iconic fabric structure was designed around a small rock-climbing feature for children, while serving as a multifunctional venue for concerts, outdoor theater, dance productions, Sunday markets, and other local events.

Flame-retardant Serge Ferrari Precontraint 502 was selected to cover the 40-foot wide by 20-foot 6-inch high structure engineered to withstand the elements and endure 115 MPH wind and 42 PSF snow loads.  Our installation crew successfully completed the construction of the tensioned fabric structure in the challenging high altitudes of the beautiful Colorado mountains in time for the inaugural summer concert series.

This project has won the Outstanding Achievement award, as well as a Merit Award as part of Connect One's Design within the Block, Street, and Building category of the 2026 CNU Charter Awards.