A Gathering Place for Stockton Residents

By Gregory V. Harris, regional editor
Photos By Mark Shwartz

One of the more eye-catching aspects of the events center is a canopy structure that has been erected over the circular lawn area. Old sailing ships used to dock in the area that is now home to the events center, and the canopy was designed to recall the masts of these old ships.

The saying ?EUR??,,????'??If you build it, they will come?EUR??,,????'?? worked for Kevin Costner in the movie ?EUR??,,????'??Field of Dreams.?EUR??,,????'?? This mantra has been used by city leaders in Stockton, California, who have built the Weber Point Events Center in what had been an under utilized space along that city?EUR??,,????'???s waterfront.

Weber Point is located adjacent to the Stockton Civic Center and city hall. Prominent features at this 9.7 acre site include the Great Circle, a plaza, step amphitheater, a children?EUR??,,????'???s play area that features a nautical theme, an interactive water feature, a main stage, and waterfront promenade. A main focal point of the events center is an impressive fabric shade structure covers the stage area.

More than 90,000 square-feet of interlocking pavers were used on the Weber Point project, including installations on the pathway through the park. Light poles similar to those in use in other areas of downtown Stockton were incorporated into the Weber Point project.

 

?EUR??,,????'??The city had looked at the site for many years to build something to revitalize downtown,?EUR??,,????'?? explained Manuela King, a principal at the landscape architecture firm Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey. ?EUR??,,????'??The (former) mayor pushed for the idea to use the area as a public space, rather than build a commercial building on the site.?EUR??,,????'??

The design team, led by Royston, Hanamoto, Alley and Abey, landscape architects from Mill Valley, also included civil engineers Kjeldsen, Sinnock, Neudeck; architects Wenell, Matthias & Bowe; publicist Judith Buethe, electrical engineer HCS Engineering, and landscape architect Jeffrey Gamboni. Construction began in November of 1997. The first phase, the northern two-thirds of the venue, was completed for the opening ceremonies on July 3, 1999.

Water fountains streaming into the air return to the basin by way of the open-joint system of the pavers. The pavers were installed directly upon a steel grid support with no bedding course or joint sand. The steel grid is suspended over a fountain water return system.

The land selected for the events center is a focal point of the community, near the adobe and redwood home (circa 1850) of city founder Charles Weber. The brick foundation of his home is outlined on the Weber Events Center site in stamped concrete with a sculptural kiosk located on the east end of the footprint. Captain Weber built bridges and flood control levees, donated land for churches, schools, and parks, and gave and sold land to settlers.

From afar, one of the more eye-catching aspects of the events center is a canopy structure that has been erected over the circular lawn area. King said old sailing ships used to dock in the area now home to the events center, and the canopy was designed to recall the masts of the old ships.

The Weber Point Fountain is a square grid of 40 aerators jetting water as high as 13 feet. Surrounding the jets is a matrix of 196 misters.

In addition to the circular lawn area, the events center design features an oval performing area for children (that now houses a playground), turf steps that lead to the small amphitheater and concrete steps that lead down to the perimeter of the events center. This site overlooks a channel, a popular spot for Stockton residents who visit the area for boat shows and the Fourth of July fireworks display.

The pavers selected for the events center are 12-inch by 12-inch interlocking slab pavers manufactured by Basalite. If the historical timeline is completed, these would also include the Basalite pavers.

The nearly 10-acre Weber Point features a nautical-themed children?EUR??,,????'???s play area, a fountain and amphitheater.

According to Basalite, Weber Point was the first project to use these slab and Spectrum pattern pavers. The slab pavers were installed directly upon a steel grid support with no bedding course or joint sand. The steel grid is suspended over a fountain water return system.

The water feature operates on a 15 minute cycle. The water feature, constructed by CMS Collaborative, has mists and shoots water vertical, building to a crescendo.

Stone pavers form the circular stage, flanked by support poles that tie down the fabric shade.

?EUR??,,????'??The water feature has a $1 million budget,?EUR??,,????'?? King said, adding that the water feature operates year round.

?EUR??,,????'??It shows local and outside businesses and local residents that Stockton is committed to bringing life back to the city?EUR??,,????'???s sagging downtown economy,?EUR??,,????'?? Machado asserted.

The large grassy area of Weber Point plays host to a plethora of events during the summer, with much of the activity being center in an amphitheater located under the mast-like canopy.

Momentum generated by the construction of this facility carried into the development of the DeCarli Waterfront Plaza and fountain, the Essential Services Building and parking structure, a Cineplex, and refurbishment of Weber Avenue; under construction is the refurbishment of the Old Stockton Hotel, built in 1910.

Project Dates:
November 1997 to July 1999