SMITHFIELD — The town will give its 44-year-old amphitheater a makeover.

Smithfield will spend up to $989,500 to redo the outdoor theater’s stage, seating, walkways and lighting.

Gary Johnson, head of Smithfield Parks and Recreation, said the overhaul was a project long in the works.

“We did a conceptual drawing in 2018 with the help of the Visitors Bureau,” Johnson told the Town Council on May 5.

But a shortage of money was the holdup — until the 2021 session of the N.C. General Assembly.

“With the help of our local legislators, we received a grant in the amount of $989,500,” Johnson said.

With funding secured, the town reached out to design-build firms, but only two responded, even after the town sought proposals a second time, Johnson said. His staff recommended the team of design firm McAdams and builder Balfour Beaty.

“The design will be based on the conceptual drawing,” Johnson said.

Council members liked work the firms had done elsewhere.

“I was looking through their pictures — pretty impressive stuff,” Councilman Travis Scott said.

Johnson agreed. “The reference projects were amazing,” he said.

Mayor Andy Moore said the council welcomed the project. “We look forward to getting to work on it,” he said.