Orland Park Officials Give OK To More Ticketed Concerts At Centennial Park West

Orland Park IL

24 February, 2022

3:35 PM

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By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press: ORLAND PARK, Ill. — Ticketed concerts will be returning to Centennial Park West this year. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted 7-0 Monday, Feb. 21, during the Committee of the Whole meeting to allow staff to make offers to bands and move the process for the 2022 concert series forward. The Centennial Park West concert series was approved in 2019. Last year, ticket sales for the concert series totaled $86,961 in revenue, while alcohol sales totaled $3,680 in revenue and sponsorships earned $7,825, according to Village-provided data. However, expenses for the concert series totaled $342,303 in 2021. The Village is planning for another three-concert slate in 2022 and has budgeted $550,350 for the series. Trustee Sean Kampas said he was "very excited" to see the concert series moving forward while also noting the work it will take to make it more profitable. "If we want this series to be enjoyed by our neighbors to the southwest, it is going to take investment from the Village to build the reputation and to attract the higher-level talent," Kampas said. "Centennial West has long been considered for its potential as a venue space for concerts — long before all of us here [on the board]. But it has only been in the last few years that the Village has begun the work of the journey. Just like with the Taste of Orland, getting the program into the black is going to take some time. "I attended all the concerts over the past few years, and from my view, it is well worth it to see the joy expressed by those in attendance. That alone would have been enough for me to want to see this continue. But I [also] believe that this concert series has serious potential to grow into something even greater." Mayor Keith Pekau stated that the concert series is something the Village has worked toward for years. "We knew we were going to be in the red for a little bit, and obviously COVID didn't help," Pekau said. "The last couple of years, while they were successful and really enjoyed, not as many people came. Two years ago, we had to delay our ticketed concerts and go with free ones, because we wanted people to get out there. I think we are taking a step in the right direction. I think … we are getting a lot more interest from bands." Recreation and Parks Director Ray Piattoni agreed. "As we grow and grow our reputation, the list of artists is growing," he said. "So, this year is much better than it was last year." Pekau said that meant that Orland Park has "more choices" for headliners. However, he said he was not going to reveal those concert selections just yet. "That is a complicated matter that requires arranging schedules, making sure that they don't have something that blocks out their ability to even go here, [and] they have to accept our offer," Pekau said. "There's a lot of back and forth that goes along with this." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.