The council in Paradise has decided that it would be too risky to proceed with the construction of a large stage aimed at landing major outdoor concerts.

"Right now, we're not in the concert business," Mayor Dan Bobbett said Tuesday.

The town had originally intended to develop a large piece of land behind the new Paradise Double Ice Complex on McNamara Drive as a large concert venue, although those plans have now been scaled back.

We're not in the concert business. - Paradise Mayor Dan Bobbett

"We explored all possibilities, and the venue is so large that it lends itself to a larger concert, but we then looked at what we could do [that would be] more community-based, and that's what we're leaning towards," Bobbett said.

Bobbett said the area will be developed as a multi-purpose space that includes two dog parks, a concession stand, splash pad, beach volleyball court, playground and a smaller stage.

"We're looking at more along the lines now of a smaller, community-based stage where we can hold our theatre under the stars, open-mic, our SunSplash Festival, Canada Day concerts," he told the St. John's Morning Show.

The large open space behind the arena in Paradise will be developed as a multi-purpose space with a number of outdoor amenities. (Cecil Haire/CBC)

"So, we can still do concerts here with a smaller stage, and if any large concerts or promoters want to use this venue because it's a big, open space venue, they usually bring their own [stage] anyway."

Town does not want to take on risk

Bobbett said the space could be used for a large concert if there was an opportunity, but the town does not want to take on the risk of a larger event.

"The town will not get involved, in a stakeholder point of view for these bigger concerts ... We're concentrating on community based events for our town and our residents," he said.

Paradise's decision comes in the wake of large losses that the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor has borne with the Salmon Festival. Low ticket sales in 2015, for a concert headlined by rock legend John Fogerty, led to a loss of $667,000. The year before, the Salmon Festival lost $476,899.

Bobbett said the total budget for the multi-purpose project, including power and infrastructure, was originally $1.7 million, but did not disclose any savings that would come from the new plans.

He said that some of the construction work, including the playground and concession stand, will be finished by June, and he hopes that residents can come and enjoy the space.