Once a water treatment facility, this lakeside property along Highway 259 South is being reimagined as the future home of a regional amphitheater. Owned by Breckinridge County United Economic Development (Breck United), the site’s natural rock wall offers built-in acoustic advantages—making it a perfect fit for outdoor performances.

The Rough River Theatre Project isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about creating a shared space—rooted in local identity—that invites the community to come together, celebrate the arts, and enjoy the beauty of Rough River in a whole new way.

In 2019, the City of Hardinsburg and Breck United held their first meeting to discuss what could be done with the city’s decommissioned water treatment plant. From the beginning, there was a shared understanding: whatever came next needed to serve the broader community.

Breck United had experience securing grants for environmental testing and redevelopment of brownfield sites and saw real potential in turning the property into something meaningful. The City agreed to donate the land to Breck United with two conditions: the organization would take full responsibility for site cleanup, and the land would be developed for public benefit.

With support from the Friends of Rough River, demolition of the remaining structures was completed in 2023—clearing the way for a new chapter in the life of this site.

Whether we’re singing along to hymns in little country churches or rock anthems in football stadiums, there’s something powerful about experiencing music together. We want to create a space where people can enjoy those shared moments close to home—without having to travel or break the bank. Not only does this help keep local dollars circulating in our own economy, it also draws new investment from visitors coming to catch a show.

Kentucky is also blessed to have an incredible amount of homegrown talent across our state. The more these artists are given a platform to succeed, the more their families and communities benefit. While we certainly won’t limit ourselves to Kentucky-based performers, promoting local and up-and-coming musicians will be a core part of the theatre’s mission.

An amphitheater also offers far more than a place for performances. It can serve as an outdoor classroom, a venue for weddings and reunions, a meeting space for local organizations, civic events, and all kinds of community gatherings. We want a space that can be utilized as much as possible, and we believe this theatre gives us great flexibility to do so.

The property is owned by Breckinridge County United Economic Development, which is a 501©3 non-profit organization. Breck United is governed by a board of directors composed of local business leaders, elected officials, and representatives from our schools, hospital, and local utilities. This board is overseeing the initial phases of this project.

We are committed to keeping this project under the oversight of a public entity to ensure that no individual assumes the financial burden or profits personally from its development.

For a complete list of current Breck United board members, click here.

In the future, the theatre will operate as an independent nonprofit organization, governed by its own board of directors. Like Breck United, this board will not profit from the project. Any revenue generated will either be reinvested into the theatre itself or paid as dividends to Breck United to directly support other community-focused initiatives.

The estimated cost for full development—from site work to utilities to final construction—is between $5 million and $7 million.

There’s no fixed timeline yet. Progress will depend on funding. We’re pursuing a combination of local fundraising and state and federal investment. Most grant opportunities require matching funds, so local support is critical to leverage those dollars into larger investments from the state and federal governments..

This project will move forward in phases as resources become available. The more momentum we build locally, the faster we can bring this vision to life.

Yes, and yes! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all monetary donations to this project are tax-deductible.

You can donate securely through the form listed above or via PayPal—whichever is most convenient for you.

Every gift truly makes a difference, and we’re so grateful for your support. Whether it’s $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500—every contribution brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality.

If you're interested in contributing materials or labor, please reach out so we can discuss those gifts further.

For donations over $1,000, we encourage you to contact us directly.

Please note: All funds designated for this project are maintained separately from Breck United’s operational or industrial real estate accounts and are used exclusively for the development and maintenance of this site.

Ticket prices will vary based on the performer or event, but because this is a nonprofit venue, we’re committed to keeping them as affordable as possible. Pricing will be set to cover artist fees and basic operations—nothing more.

Once operational, the goal is to host at least two major concerts per summer month, with additional smaller events, private rentals, and community gatherings throughout the year.

We expect programming to start small and grow season by season, based on interest and capacity.