Thousands more at Coachella and Stagecoach?
The sold-out Coachella Festival may soon add another 25,000 concertgoers; and Stagecoach another 10,000.
It would be more people to spend money in the Coachella Valley, but on the downside, it would also add to the congestion. The city of Indio will decide the issue next week.
The proposed increase is expected to bring in about a million more dollars to Indio, but residents are worried having thousands more in the area will be too much to handle.
“I just think the impact to the community, the homeowners, are large is significant,” said La Quinta resident Deanna McCulloch.
For three weekends a year about 300,000 people take over the polo grounds in Indio.
Each year the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival sells out — this year, within an hour of going on sale.
“Our children have enjoyed Coachella in the past. I think if they want to enlarge it, it’s fine with us,” said Indio resident Linda Mackencie.
Festival promoter Goldenvoice is asking the city of Indio to increase the attendance cap from 99,000 to 125,000 for Coachella and 75,000 to 85,000 for Stagecoach.
“It’s getting great attendance and if they can fill it, go for it. You really need more people in the area during that time when the snowbirds move north,” said visitor Jim Schnider.
“I would hate it, as it is now there’s so much traffic and it is difficult to use the services,” said McCulloch.
If approved, not all of the added festival goers will add to traffic.
“A third will camp, a third will drive in, a third will be shuttled in. So, we’ve taken steps to make sure we can safely put on this production with the increased people and keep the same level of security that we’ve offered for 13 years at Coachella and Stagecoach,” said Indio Police Sgt. Dan Marshall.
As for the concert itself, that space will be getting bigger too. Goldenvoice wants to expand the entertainment areas.
“They’ve purchased a lot of land throughout the area and what they are looking to do is make the concerts a little bit bigger a little bit more enjoyable,” said Indio Mayor Glenn Miller.
“I don’t think it’s going to be as big of a concern as people think it really is. There is going to be shuttles services that will be more expanded. There is a lot of things that went into this, some good thought into how it will affect the community around it. But, it’s very important how it will affect the quality of life for the people that live in that area,” said Miller.
The Indio City Council will vote on increasing attendance at the music festivals next Wednesday.
