HAMMOND | A new amphitheater doesn't mean booming bass tones will be streaming from Wolf Lake Memorial Park on a regular basis.

Mayor Tom McDermott, Jr., and city administrators addressed that issue and others Thursday night, during a monthly Mayor's Night Out event held at Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Robertsdale residents expressed concern over the plan to construct the live entertainment venue at the park, saying the five days of the annual Festival of the Lakes are some of the most miserable, forcing them to stay awake late into the night until bands stop playing. McDermott said outside of the five-day festival, no large scale music events are planned after the area is constructed.

"I don't anticipate rock 'n' roll bands 365 days a year," McDermott said. "We're not looking to add any major entertainment."

Rick Trevino, project manager with the engineering firm Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., said construction on the amphitheater, part of a $31 million public recreation plan funded by a grant from the Regional Development Authority, is set to begin shortly after the Festival of the Lakes concludes in July. Trevino said a sound impact study will be done to ensure the amphitheater doesn't make things worse than they already are.

Port Authority Director Milan Kruszynski, whose agency oversees Wolf Lake Memorial Park, said tentative plans call for the stage to be visible from both sides, with one side for the massive crowds drawn to the Festival of the Lakes and the other for a more intimate group. McDermott said he envisions that other side used for community plays, high school concerts and other performances.

"If we want the symphony to play in Wolf Lake Park, we can have them there," he said. "This is going to give us options that we don't have right now."