DAPHNE — City and state leaders gathered at Bayfront Park in Daphne on Thursday for the groundbreaking of the city's multi-million dollar amphitheater project.

The project will see construction of a new amphitheater that is estimated to seat 2,500 people with lawn and/or folding chair seating. In addition, the project will also include a new splash pad along with expanded restroom facilities, additional parking space and boardwalks connecting the Daphne recreational building to the amphitheater area.

The project, estimated to cost $15 million, is partially funded by a $7.2M GoMESA grant awarded to the City of Daphne. During construction, Bayfront Park will be closed to the public until the project's targeted completion date of April 2027. However, those in the area will still be able to access most of the amenities from the Village Pointe Park Preserve just around the corner.

Those in attendance for Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony included Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune, members of Daphne's city council, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship and members of Baldwin County's state delegationm such as Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and Sen. Chris Elliot (R-Josephine).

"This has been a long, long time coming, and we have had a ton of people that have supported this project," LeJeune said. "Our council, previous councils, you name it. We have had a majority of people just really really support us and uplift us. Even though it's taken this time frame to get here, we are finally here."

Daphne City Council President and District 5 representative Ron Scott, who retired this week after over 20 years on city council, called the groundbreaking his swan song, crediting his fellow city colleagues with helping the project become a reality, including District 3 City Councilman Joel Coleman.

"He's had the patience to continue with it, and I can't wait to see 2,500 people here at a concert in the near future," Scott said, "so bear with us a little over a year, and we'll get it done."