Take an inside look at renovations at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater is preparing for its fifth season to kick off in just a few weeks. Last year, 90,000 people visited the venue for concerts, and the venue is preparing to see even more people this year.

"We've definitely put ourselves on the map, and not just nationwide, but I've talked to people from Canada that are coming down for one of our shows this year," said Dustin Bradshaw, the General Manager of the Devon. "90,000 people is a lot, especially for last year being only our fourth season open."

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Bradshaw says this season, they have 4 or 5 more shows than they did last year. To prepare, the team has made several updates to the facility. This includes adding a new building to the back of an existing one, doubling the size of current restrooms and adding extra storage spaces for drinks and food.

One of the highlights of the new renovation is the skydeck, a private space on top of the new building. Groups of up to 30 can reserve the area for each show, along with a private bartender. The deck gives a panoramic view of the stage and Lake Decatur, as well as the rest of the Devon.

Return guests will also notice changes to the main entrance of the Devon to make entry more efficient.

"Our concourse area tends to get backed up pretty easily, so we moved our front gate out to allow us some more room," said Bradshaw. "Our bar right inside the front gate is being reconstructed to a permanent structure versus kind of like the gondola type canopies. And the line for that will not be through the concourse anymore, it'll be off to the side."

Bradshaw says he is proud of how much the facility has grown since it opened and of the impact it has had on Decatur.