Murrysville officials will put plans to build an amphitheater in Murrysville Community Park on hold, and are in the process of returning a $300,000 state grant to pursue one double its size.

“We got back together and decided to take another look at this,” Murrysville Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said.

He cited the rising cost of the project, from initial estimates of $800,000, to $1.2 million in 2021, to a recent estimate of $1.6 million once final designs, site plans and bid documents were drawn up.

“We’re experiencing price increases daily as we open bids for materials and roadwork,” Morrison said. “Not knowing where we’re going with pricing, we’re not even sure $1.6 million is a good number at this point.”

Morrison said staff recommended the municipality return a $300,000 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant, which must be implemented by the end of 2023. Morrison suggested reapplying for the same grant, this time requesting $623,000.

“We’re confident the project will have good standing to receive the grant again this time around,” he said.

Receiving the grant anew also would trigger another three-year time period during which municipal officials could monitor labor and material prices.

“Unfortunately, DCNR guidelines don’t allow the funding to be used for a project in another park,” Morrison said. “With no other pending projects at MCP, we think returning the money and reapplying is the best way to proceed.”

Councilwoman Jamie Lee Korns stressed the project is only being postponed.

“We’re not saying no; we’re saying not right now,” she said. “It’s hard to work so long on a project and then have to put it on hold, but I appreciate staff looking at this so closely and considering the community.”

Morrison said the additional time also will give public works staff time to do additional work that will count toward the roughly $150,000 of in-kind services completed so far.

“It was a difficult decision,” Morrison said. “But it’s just not the right time to eat costs like this and be looking for money.”

Council unanimously granted staff authorization to apply for the grant. Councilman Jason Lemak was not present.

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