"Shoddy" Work on Forks Amphitheater "Shoddier"

Public Works Director Mark Roberts is fuming once again over the Forks Township amphitheater.

After calling construction work on the new amphitheater "shoddy" last spring, Roberts informed the Board of Supervisors during a work session Thursday night that the structure is in need of repairs.

He said cracks are forming in the concrete and three of the four canvas panels have patches on them.

Roberts wants to hold back $24,000 in payment to the company, Fourmen Construction Co. of New York, for its efforts -- or lack of in this case -- and supervisors seemed to agree.

Better yet, they thought it was a good idea to take $10,000 of that money and invest it in a mason who said he could fill the cracks before they become more troubling in the winter.

Supervisor John O'Neil asked if there would be any legal recourse.

Township Manager John Cornell responded: "We could have a fight on our hands."

Supervisor David Billings then said, "Well, bring it on."

The amphitheater was completed just days before the township kicked off a summer concert series and then movie nights. The amphitheater was also the centerpiece for the recent Forks Community Days.

Roberts stated that he asked the company to return to make recommendations for repairs, but said it never did.

He said there were three patches on the canvas and Roberts wanted to have the company come back and fix them since the township has a one-year warranty.

He said the canvas panels cost $30,000 each.

"Nine months into this, we have a frayed patch," Supervisor Dan Martyak said. "To me, it's gonna fray again. I'm kinda fearful this will be a stone for us for the next 20 years."