A Soleri amphitheater facing demolition in Santa Fe

Even as Paolo Soleri’s new bridge in Scottsdale nears completion, another of his works is facing destruction in Santa Fe.

The architect built an amphitheater on the campus of the Santa Fe Indian School in the 1950s; according to this Santa Fe TV news story, the school is planning on demolishing it:

It costs them about $100,000 a year to maintain,“ Indian School Spokesperson Ed Calabaza said.

Calabaza said there are few concerts each year at the amphitheater and the money for the Paolo could better spent on students.

“Whether they be new facilities, giving out scholarships, getting better computers,” he said.

Calabaza said concerts at the Paolo Soleri have also attracted drug use and fights in the past, something the school wants nothing to do with on campus.

The school is on Indian land, so there’s no legal recourse defenders of the structure have.