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YOUNGSTOWN — The operator of the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre expressed frustration with state officials’ repeated refusal to give any direction to reopening outdoor entertainment venues because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To not address mass gatherings like we’re not here is unfathomable,” said Eric Ryan, president of JAC Management Group, which operates the amphitheater and the Covelli Centre for the city. “I’m increasingly frustrated with the lack of direction (for) our industry.”

Ryan also books shows and operates Packard Music Hall in Warren based on a contract with the city.

The state has reopened numerous other industries with safety guidelines.

“We, at the very least, need to have a conversation,” Ryan said. “It’s been almost four months we’ve been out of business.”

If there are shows at the amphitheater this year, there won’t be any national acts, he said.

There could be some smaller local shows at the facility if the state permits it — and that’s a big if.

“If it’s a go, we’ll announce shows, but they’ll be local, community and regional events,” Ryan said.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, JAC has canceled a number of national artists at the amphitheater, including the Steve Miller Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Michael Stanley and the Resonators with Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.

While the Beach Boys remain on the schedule for Aug. 26, the band isn’t touring, and Ryan said it won’t happen.

“National acts are all gone,” he said. “They’re not on the road. We can’t do national acts at a cut-down capacity.”

There are no other events on the amphitheater’s website.

The amphitheater, which opened last year, can hold up to 5,500 people.

If it’s allowed to reopen, the facility would operate at about 40 to 50 percent capacity with proper social distancing, Ryan said.

But there’s no indication from the state that the amphitheater will be allowed to open.

Erin Bishop, the city’s health commissioner, said: “We’re working with Eric Ryan and his crew if they’re allowed to move forward and make sure they follow the guidelines if they happen. If there isn’t a change, they can’t open. The Ohio Department of Health is not permitting gatherings of more than 10 people and hasn’t given any guidelines.”

The final show at the amphitheater last year was Sept. 12, Ryan said.

If the facility is permitted to open this year, it would try to have shows into October, he said.

Also, Ryan said he hopes indoor shows can resume in the fall so he can book events at the Covelli Centre.

The pandemic has forced JAC to cancel several acts at the facilities as well as made it impossible to get other performers to schedule, he said.

Along with most other companies, JAC has waited to schedule events until the state gives the go-ahead.

That wasn’t the case with the Warren Community Amphitheatre with Sunrise Entertainment scheduling its River Rock at the Amp summer concert series to start this past Friday after delaying it from Memorial Day weekend.

Two days before the first concert was to be held, however, the entire series was canceled because the state doesn’t allow them as a result of the pandemic.

Ryan said he was “surprised” the Warren facility had scheduled the concerts before the Ohio Department of Health gave permission.

“It was our understanding and the Youngstown health department’s understanding that we were not permitted to reopen.”

JAC has produced an operating surplus for the city at the Covelli Centre, which opened in October 2005, and the amphitheater, which opened in June 2019, annually since 2009, when it took over management.

In 2019, it had one of its best years with a $412,684 operating surplus and events generated $283,463 from a 5.5 percent admission tax on tickets sold for events at the locations.

But this year is going to be a different story because of the pandemic.

There hasn’t been a show at the center since February. The pandemic will make it so the facilities will lose money this year, Ryan said.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com