First Concert to be Held at the Grand Lawn Amphitheater

By | Epic Extras

You may be aware of the Grand Prairie Big Event happening March 24 all over our fine city. This day provides a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate pride in our community by serving our neighbors with various tasks and chores needed around town.

The evening of the Big Event, we celebrate you, our community volunteers, with music, food, and fun for the whole family. We will hold a free concert event in the Grand Lawn Amphitheater, located at EpicCentral, directly in front of The Epic.

Entertainment will be provided by Vocal Trash and Memphis Soul.

Vocal Trash describes themselves as “Music with a Message.” This green minded ensemble delights audiences, globally, on a relentless pursuit to bring people together utilizing the universal language of song and dance.

Memphis Soul is a classy, high energy 8 piece group showcasing a distinctive sound and style inspired by such artists as Earth, Wind and Fire, Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin. Memphis Soul features a solid rhythm section, fiery horns, and dynamic male and female vocalists. Our style displays the rich musical legacy of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, mixed with current popular classic soul and R&B styles. Memphis Soul also performs a variety of other popular standards from Frank Sinatra to Motown to current dance music.

We hope all of our volunteers will join us at 6:00 p.m. on March 24, but this event is free and open to the public.

 

Zach Balch
Media & Arts Supervisor – The Epic

 

Epic Radio GP is now LIVE

By | Epic Extras

Epic Radio GP is now LIVE in the form of Prairie Lights Radio! We’re test driving some online platforms and you and your family get to be the drivers. Literally. Drive through Prairie Lights and listen to our curated holiday music through the TuneIn app on your smart device or directly from our micro-player at epicradiogp.com.

Epic Radio GP will be housed right inside the main entrance at The Epic when we open this Spring. If you’ve ever wanted to be a radio DJ or on-air personality, you’re in luck! We would love community members to curate their own styles of music for online radio play, record podcasts or just sit down for a talk-show!

Are you a local business looking to advertise? Cool. Let’s talk. Just looking for a new overhead service in your store front? Also cool. Let’s talk about that.

Read further and witness me “nerding out” on some music history.

In 1892, the song “After the Ball” became the first million-seller. The biggest hit of the century was not heard on TV, nor was it broadcast on the Radio. In fact, it wasn’t even made popular as a recording. Believe it or not, the first “Gold Record” was distributed to over a 5 million homes… as sheet music.

We all know that online streaming has changed everything about the music industry. But do you realize that Broadcast Radio was once a technological force of change for the entire industry? The Music Publishing business was thriving on the sales of sheet music for popular songs, plays, operas and classical works. At the turn of the 20th century, the most accessible way to listen to and enjoy music was next to a piano while a skilled player interpreted notes on a page. However, radio changed the industry and almost ended the era of publishers.

The business model adapted. Publishers sought licensing opportunities for songs in films starting in the 1920s (Al Jolson starred as “The Jazz” singer in 1927, later played by Neil Diamond) and revitalized the industry. Radio was now a prime partner and not an adversary. Broadcast made a way for the big band, the jazz singers and songwriters from all over the country to get music played for ears across America.

Radio was a relatively inexpensive appliance. Almost every American home had a radio. They became the central entertainment fixture in many house-holds and because of consistent listenership, they were also the central method of distributing news and information to the public. Ever heard of War of the Worlds? Orson Welles’ 1938 radio drama was so well acted that many people thought it was NEWS! They thought we were being invaded by aliens. Easy mistake to make, I guess.

Armed Forces Radio (AFR) broadcast American music to military installations all around the world during World War II and popularized our style of music. You can give credit to the AFR for the U.S. becoming the pop-culture leader on the planet. You can also give credit to AFR for the huge spike in music and musical instrument sales in the late 1940s. Our boys returned from overseas and put a piano in 1 out of every 5 American homes. People bought guitars. They bought horns. They formed bands. They made bands cool. Buddy Holly was in a band. Buddy Holly was cool. The Beatles were cool. Bands in general are cool, right? I digress.

You can probably think of several technological shifts in your lifetime that have made us re-think the way the music business model works. CD’s in the 80s. Home recorders in the 90s. MP3 in the early 2000s. iTunes. Spotify. SoundCloud. The motif you pick up on is that every one of these shifts just makes music more accessible to listeners and creators. Internet radio is a new shift in the music business. Anyone can broadcast to the entire world, or to aliens, with a computer, a microphone and an internet connection. You can be any personality you wish. You can play whatever you want. You can say whatever you want. It’s an immensely powerful tool.

At The Epic, you can’t exactly say whatever you want. We have some standards here, folks. But you can still enjoy the creative process and learn about how to produce your own show! We can help you get a podcast setup on iTunes or teach you about music licensing. You can have a voice!

I hope to meet many of you radio buffs out there and geek out on music with you soon. I’m fascinated by this industry and love to learn all about it and share it with everyone. Please contact me if you’d like to talk about how our radio station works and to start booking time on-air!

 

Zach Balch
Recreation & Events Supervisor – The Epic

What’s 83 Feet Tall and Filled To The Brim With Fun?

By | Epic Extras

Let me bring you up to speed in case your daily travels don’t take you on Hwy. 161 between I-20 & I-30, or in case your travels take you along that road but you have not paid much attention to the cranes near 161 and Arkansas.

While we have been hard at work for months, the past few weeks have been very exciting with the skyline at the EPIC project changing by the hour. Just this past week the final pieces of the Cupola on Epic Waters were put in place thus topping off the immense aluminum framework of this awe-inspiring building.

While the 160’ x 384’ main building is already the talk of the town, the recent addition of the 83’ Cupola is icing on the cake. Even better yet, is what will fill the Cupola. Starting this week, multi-colored pieces of fiberglass will begin being lifted into place and it won’t be long before it looks like we have a huge bowl of colorful spaghetti winding around the building.

Now back to the Cupola. This additional height was needed to the building so we could fit in the tallest indoor aqua loop slide in the United States as well as a 70’ indoor plunge slide that will be the most adventurous.

In addition to these slides, other stops on your climb to the top lead you other amazing slides that include a four lane matt racer, aquasphere, boomerango, and an exhilarating body slide.

To keep up with the daily changes of the Epic Skyline why not visit www.epicwatersgp.com. In just a few short days our full website will launch where you can find out much more information all about EPIC Waters Indoor Waterpark.

 

Richard Coleman
Principal, American Resort Management

 

PlayGrand Adventures Announces First Major Sponsor!

By | Epic Extras

stripeazone_logoThe City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts & Recreation Department has received it’s first large financial sponsorship from Stripe-A-Zone. Stripe-A-Zone is a Grand Prairie company offering pavement marking services around Texas since 1950, and has committed $50,000 to the project. Thank you Stripe-A-Zone for this generous contribution.

PlayGrand Adventures playground will be located at the corner of Warrior Trail and Waterwood Dr. within Grand Central Park. PlayGrand Adventures will be a playground where everyone of all ages and abilities can experience ‘Epic’ play. The playground will be designed to stimulate, challenge, and encourage development of several skill sets while providing social interaction, sense of discovery, creativity, and exercise.

This playground will be a part of the EPIC project, and one that has great potential of bringing together children and adults in a safe, exciting, comfortable, and fun atmosphere. Funding has been authorized as part of the EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC Waters for the Phase I PlayGrand Adventures Project. However, we are dreaming even bigger and want to build future phases as part of the initial development. This truly will be an EPIC project and a continued EPIC experience for all ages and abilities in our community.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and the PlayGrand committee is working hard to fulfill everyone’s expectations. If you would like to donate, please visit PlayGrandAdventures.com.

 

Steve Plumer PLA, ASLA
Sr. Parks Project Manager
Parks, Arts & Recreation Department

Taking Shape

By | Epic Extras

The buzz across GrandCentral continues to increase as the Epic, Epic Waters and PlayGrand Adventures all build in momentum and increase in presence as the pace of construction hits new levels! While each week reveals new and exciting portions of the overall project, it’s truly an everyday event that advancements are made that are amazing to witness taking place in the timeframe they are happening in. And no matter how many drawings or renderings someone may have viewed of the project, it isn’t until the buildings and park spaces actually take on their physical presence in the real world that it becomes evident that the end result will without a doubt be Epic!

With the footprints of both the Epic and Epic Waters now being fully defined on site, the scale of the long linear nature of the two buildings is able to be visualized for the first time. The distance stretching from the southwest edge of the outdoor wave pool of Epic Waters to the northeast edge of the Epic is beyond impressive at approximately 1200 feet. At that length, the overall project presence will stretch nearly a quarter of a mile across the western elevated edge of GrandCentral! What an incredible backdrop to the family festivals, concerts and other community events that will be hosted on the new Grand Lawn amphitheater.

In addition to two-dimensional scale, three-dimensional volume and form are also well underway. Structural concrete columns and floor slabs for the Epic have already reached the second level and dynamic spaces are taking shape including the beautiful oval entry lobby, the elevated running tracks, the large two-story column-free basketball and futsal court area and the cantilevered exterior balconies projecting out into the surrounding park and amphitheater space. And although Epic Waters appears to trail the Epic in terms of its development, it won’t be long before the structural frame of the waterpark begins being put in place and Epic Waters will quickly catch the Epic. Because of this, the next 4-6 weeks of construction will be some of the most exciting so be sure to drive by the project site and keep your eye on progress from a distance!

 

 

Andy Henning AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Senior Building and Construction Projects Manager, City of Grand Prairie

An EPIC Conference Experience!

By | Epic Extras

Over the Labor Day weekend, I started coordinating and booking my fall travel schedule. During the fall, amongst all my other travel dates, are two important conferences to attend. In October there is the World Water Park Association Show, and in November is the attractions expo for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

I have attended both for many years. While both organizations have many other events and tremendous resources to utilize throughout the year, the fall conferences have always been the most impactful to me.

The later of the two is the IAAPA attractions expo and this is an event, that for a newcomer, is a complete sensory overload. Everything that you can see, do, touch, taste, or experience at an amusement park, waterpark, carnival, museum, or any other similar attraction is on display in gigantic proportions. The talent, creativity, and experience at this Expo is beyond compare.

Now for the reason for the long back story. At last year’s attraction expo held by IAAPA, all of the organizations that had been diligently working on the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark were together in the same room at the same time. Up until this moment we may have all been together for meetings, but it usually involved at least some of the team members participating by teleconference.

For this specific meeting it was important to the visionaries from the City of Grand Prairie to have all of us together for one last “gut check” as to whether the design was truly EPIC! The meeting took place in what felt like the center of the expo floor. We were all huddled around a set of prints with some images being shown on a screen. It was during this meeting as well as throughout the entire expo that I saw the reactions of industry peers when showing off the final plans for Epic Waters.

Over the years I have become accustomed to hearing feedback when showing other projects that included comments like, “You should consider this”, or “Why did you not do this”, but when we showed the design of Epic Waters the comments were always, “Wow!”, “Amazing!”, or “Impressive!”.

As you can imagine the attendees at this expo are sometimes a very hard crowd to impress, however that is exactly what happened when anyone saw the images that were produced from the several years of hard work and countless hours from dozens of dedicated visionaries.

As I look at the most recent construction photos from the entire EPIC project, I get more excited by the day to see all of this hard work becoming a reality. When you experience Epic Waters I am confident you will say, “They got it right”.

See you all in 2017!

 

Richard Coleman
Principal, American Resort Management

From the Vice President of Lee Lewis Construction, Inc.

By | Epic Extras

LEE LEWIS CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. was established in 1976, and has had a vital presence in the Texas construction market for over 40 years. Lee Lewis Construction is a construction manager and a builder with a staff of over 350 employees with offices in Dallas, Austin and Lubbock, Texas. The focus on consistent growth, dependability and quality has helped Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. become one of the largest construction firms in the United States, earning a position as one of the largest firms in Engineering News Record’s Top 400 Contractors in the nation since 1984.

The professionals at Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. operate with two goals in mind: to build high quality structures that stand the tests of time, and to develop relationships that last. From Design-Build to management and negotiated services, we offer professional construction services through a variety of working relationships and delivery methods. Through it all, one constant remains: our commitment to customer satisfaction. Working closely with each client, Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. builds strong working relationships with the best and brightest minds from various industries in order to foster more effective communication and collaboration. It is the unique balance of planning, efficiency, teamwork and quality that allows us to build a superior project. By bringing together experts in various fields and building a great level of trust, we have completed high quality projects for hundreds of clients across the nation. Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. strives to meet the individual needs and challenges of each project implementing the expertise and organization needed, while establishing a precise balance of construction time, quality craftsmanship, and cost effective construction enabling the successful completion of each project.

RYAN KEMP, VICE PRESIDENT

Dedicated to his profession, Ryan Kemp is a goal oriented – results driven asset to Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. In his role as Director of Pre-Construction and Estimating Services, Ryan is responsible for overseeing estimating activities, including estimate preparation and subcontractor solicitations, take-offs, budgets, attending preconstruction meetings, bidding projects, buy-out, and overseeing the estimating department. Ryan is the firm’s team leader in providing solutions in value engineering. He stays involved in industry and community-based organizations including the Professional Estimators Group, and AGC/TEXO, staying abreast of the latest industry trends, and community growth opportunities.

“I think the EPIC is one of those exciting projects that everyone loves to be a part of. It is a project that the citizens of the community can be extremely proud of. In working with the City of Grand Prairie you can truly see their vision and goals for the citizens and the future of the City. We are honored to a part of this project.”

Ryan Kemp
Vice President
Lee Lewis Construction, Inc.

Talk About a Daunting Task!

By | Epic Extras

So…..what do you do when the City of Grand Prairie and their Parks, Arts & Recreation folks come to you and tell you they want a project design that is unlike any other….one that changes the fundamental approach to the profession the facility will house….oh, and one they want to call THE EPIC? Well, after you pick yourself up off the floor, then deal with a few sleepless nights, you get yourself focused to a level truly deserving of the task.

First things first – assembling the best of the best to create the team to deliver the dream! Despite the fact that HKS has been incredibly fortunate to have had client and project experience unlike many architectural firms, success never comes solo. With that in mind, we interviewed and selected a design consultant team second to none. Those consultants hail from all across the United States, including right here in Grand Prairie, Texas!

With the team in place, the next (and most important!) step was to engage the people who would be those using the facility. And not just a few, several hundred! The forward-thinking leaders of the City of Grand Prairie were one step ahead of us in this regard with their plans for ‘Epic Encounters’ already on the calendar. These meetings were all-inclusive and allowed people to directly influence and shape the elements of the project in ways that they knew would most greatly benefit the community. While it is always important to HKS that we work closely with the end-users of a facility we design, we had never had a client leading the charge in this regard until working with the City of Grand Prairie. It’s because of this that The Epic will be so reflective of the community it will serve!

To this day (over a year after HKS was selected to be the architect for the project), I still have employees track me down almost weekly to ask about The Epic due to the amazing buzz that it has throughout our office. At HKS, we couldn’t be more appreciative and proud to be a part of this incredible project – this profession-changing project – this project that is certainly going to continue to build upon the reputation of the City of Grand Prairie as creative pioneers when it comes to enhancing and advancing their community. Without question, it has been an incredible team effort that has made it EPIC!

Andy Henning AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Associate Principal and Senior Vice President
HKS Architects, Inc.

The “EPICNESS” of EPIC Waters

By | Epic Extras

Epic………..

At first I thought the name sounded a bit boastful.

Not long after learning the name I was attending one of what seemed like a thousand design meetings. While sitting in this particular design meeting the EPICNESS of this project, for me, really started to take shape. It was at this meeting, as I looked around the room, I realized the leaders in Grand Prairie had assembled an amazing dream team to make this project truly EPIC.

We at American Resort Management are proud to be part of the team that brings the EPIC Waters Indoor Water Park to life! The EPICNESS of this facility will be evident from the first step you take inside and experience the moment of “Ahhhhhhh”. A massive transparent retractable roof will allow us to share the weather outside when desirable or better yet, if needed, protect you from the elements while maintaining a beautiful 85 degrees every day of the year.

Your next moment of Ahhhhhhhhhhhh hits when your eyes move to the giant slide complex where three of the slides will be first of their kind in the United States. Complementing the amazing slide complex will be one of the longest indoor lazy rivers, dedicated children’s area, activity pools and a 2 lane surf machine.

Your visit will include many more “Moments of Ahhhhhhhhhhhh” as you find additional amenities needed to round out your stay. Enjoy a meal, play some games in the family arcade or enjoy one of the family friendly activities that will be programmed throughout the day.

The intent has been to assemble a “cruise ship on land” type of experience that is not only family friendly but perfect for birthday parties, schools, social groups, corporate outings and private functions.

This world-class facility will be the pride of not only Grand Prairie but the entire region!

It is going to be grand….no wait, it is going to be amazing……no wait, I am trying to think of the proper word…..oh, I know………. it is truly going to be ……….EPIC!

 

Richard Coleman, CHA
Principal & Senior Vice President of Development & Operations
American Resort Management, LLC

PlayGrand Adventures Playground

By | Epic Extras

The City of Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation Department has embarked on another life changing project at Central Park. The EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC WATERS water park will forever change the lives of thousands of Grand Prairie residents for decades to come. One component of the EPIC project is the development of PlayGrand Adventures playground, to be located on the southern portion of Central Park.

PlayGrand Adventures will be a playground where everyone of all ages and abilities can experience ‘Epic’ play. This playground will be a part of the EPIC project, and one that has great potential of bringing together children and adults in a safe, exciting, comfortable, and fun atmosphere.

Our goal with PlayGrand Adventures is to be the best destination playground in the country. To date, the idea is to separate the playground into several adventure lands, each standing on its own, but linked to each other. PlayGrand Adventures will have shelters, seating areas and picnic areas associated with each land. The lands will incorporate inclusive features so all visitors can associate with each other regardless of their abilities.

Initial planning of the playground has started, and updates throughout the project will be posted as the design develops.

The PlayGrand Adventures Kick-Off Reception was held Thursday evening, May 7, at the historic Uptown Theater. This event formally introduced the project to community leaders, professionals, City officials and Parks’ friends and launched the campaign for additional funding and community participation of the project. The evening offered opportunities for citizens to volunteer on steering committees to guide the PlayGrand’s Development through the project.

Funding has been authorized as part of the EPIC Recreation Center and EPIC Waters for the PlayGrand Adventures Project. However, we are dreaming even bigger and want to build future phases as part of the initial development. A PlayGrand Subcommittee will be canvassing the community for sponsorships and partnerships. This truly will be an EPIC project and a continued EPIC experience for all ages and abilities in our community.

Steve Plumer PLA, ASLA
Sr. Parks Project Manager – Parks, Arts & Recreation Department

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