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To honor the company’s 100th anniversary, Miron Construction Co., Inc. is donating the new Jones Park Amphitheater to the City of Appleton. Miron served as the construction manager for the adjacent Fox Cities Exhibition Center and is also handling renovations of Jones Park. 

Tim Kippenhan, Miron vice president and COO, says the company began planning its 100th anniversary celebration over a year ago. Everything from a fireworks display to client parties were considered. But instead of hosting a one-time celebration event, the company desired to leave a lasting gift within the Fox Cities, since the company was founded on Appleton’s North Story Street.

“Ultimately we asked ourselves what are we proud about and really it’s about our community,” Kippenhan says. “Our community is what’s made Miron successful.”

Located on the park’s east end, the 2,600-square-foot amphitheater will overlook a large open portion of Jones Park, which will serve as a hockey rink during the winter. Beyond it will be a new warming house as well as the existing exhibition center, which will boast a stellar view of the park from its plaza deck.

The amphitheater will host live music and performances during community events such as Mile of Music. Kippenhan sees the amphitheater as a representation of the collaboration needed from the beginning to make the exhibition center a reality. 

“The exhibition center was funded by 10 communities and [the amphitheater] is an extension of that,” Kippenhan says. “It will draw local families to Jones Park was well as outsiders to the area.” 

Construction on the amphitheater began in August and is scheduled to be completed in October, coinciding with the completion of the warming house and the remainder of the Jones Park renovations.