Stageline Forges Long-Running Partnership with Cape Coral Parks and Recreation

When Cape Coral, Florida's Parks and Recreation Department purchased a Stageline SL250 mobile stage in 2005, it marked the beginning of a two-decade journey that transformed how the city activated its outdoor spaces, engaged its community, and delivered professional-grade events -- while saving costs and building internal production capacity.

"We bought our SL250 in 2005," says Todd King, Cape Coral's longtime events coordinator. "It lasted 20 years. That stage has gone out hundreds of times and paid for itself twice over."

Used 12-plus times annually by the department and another 20 times by nonprofits and community groups, the SL250 delivered consistent value. Technicians from the City handled the operation and setup, avoiding high rental costs and giving the city control over its production standards.

"It's a high-quality piece that we provide to nonprofits and community groups, making their events affordable and elevated. It's a real return on tax dollars," King adds.

The decision to go with Stageline was strategic. After consulting with Cape Coral's local production companies and seeing the SL250 at an Orlando event, the department chose the unit for its balance of clean design, mobility, and rider-level capacity.

"We wanted something that would look the part for national events," explains King, "and still be manageable for city staff."

Even though national artist riders often request 40'-by-40' stages, the SL250 proved more than capable, with extensions and solid backline prep.

When Florida's salt air finally forced the retirement of their SL250, the upgrade decision was obvious. In 2024, the department acquired a new SL260. "The Stageline engineer inspected the SL250 and showed us the rust. We knew it was time. The SL260 was the natural next step."

Key features of the SL260 praised by Cape Coral include redesigned fly arms and safer access to rigging, built-in LED underlighting ("They know what it's like to be a tech at 2 a.m."), covered wings that improve aesthetic and light effects, USB ports and Gen-Z-friendly features, and better hydraulics and streamlined deployment.

"The lighting companies love the new covered wings. They trap haze and smoke, and the lights really pop," King says. "It looks incredible."

Cape Coral's stage program has grown into a full-fledged production initiative within Parks & Rec. The department is no longer seen as just "lawn darts and Easter egg hunts" -- it's producing concerts and events that rival professional venues. "People are shocked it's the Parks & Rec department behind these events," King says. "And when they find out the city owns the stage? There's a whole new level of respect."