Convenience Big Store: The history of The Woodlands Waterway, from a 'napkin sketch' to public ownership

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The Woodlands Pavilion CEO reflects on 20 years of concerts, performing arts and rock 'n' roll

Jerry MacDonald is stepping down after 20 years as the CEO of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

In that time, he's met celebrities ranging from Stephen Hawking to George H.W. and Barbara Bush, weathered hurricanes and a pandemic, and watched The Woodlands Waterway and Town Center grow around the music venue.

One of his favorite encounters is from close to home-MacDonald met country star Parker McCollum, who grew up in Conroe and went to College Park High School.

"He was just so nice and happy and thankful to be here," MacDonald said. "He told me how he would come to the Pavilion and sit on the lawn and think someday he'd be up on that stage."

Since he started in 2003, The Pavilion has also added three new buildings, promoted performing arts and been one of the top 10 outdoor amphitheaters in the world for 18 of those 20 years. Most recently, it was rated as No. 2 in the world based on ticket sales in 2022.

MacDonald said he'll miss the excitement of the industry, the staff he's worked with and the satisfaction of watching first-time concertgoers enjoy a show. But he likely won't be headbanging on the front row anytime soon.

What are your favorite memories at The Pavilion? Let me know at claire.partain@houstonchronicle.com.

Claire Partain, Suburban reporter producer

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Education

Conroe ISD board member Melissa Dungan, center, is seen during a special Conroe ISD board meeting at the Deane L. Sadler Administration Building, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Conroe. Dungan, along with Misty Odenweller and Tiffany Nelson, ran as a conservative slate known as

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Conroe ISD trustee wants district to keep Pride flags off walls

Conroe ISD Trustee Melissa Dungan wants the district to keep personal ideologies out of classrooms and limit flags on campus to the American flag, Texas flag, school flags and college pendants.

Masked and unmasked students are seen after Oak Ridge High School School ended for the day, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Conroe ISD students, faculty and staff returned to school from the winter break as Montgomery County reported an increase of more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases since last Tuesday.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

CISD considers new cell phone policy to help student mental...

Conroe ISD is considering creating a new cell phone policy for students after a recent report from the U.S. surgeon general outlined the negative effect social media has on children.

Need to Know

Robert Heineman, vice president of planning for The Woodlands Development Company, walks through a newly competed section of The Woodlands Waterway, an 18-year project combining commercial and residential centers with a 1.8 mile transit and pedestrian corridor through The Woodlands Town Center, Thursday, March 8, 2018, in The Woodlands.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

The history of The Woodlands Waterway, from a 'napkin sketch' and drainage ditch to public ownership

The Woodlands Waterway's history spans as long as the township itself, with plans to create a pedestrian transit corridor starting as far back as 1972.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle

Man found with gunshot wound in south Montgomery County

A man was found with a gunshot wound in south Montgomery County on Tuesday night, authorities say.

Openings and Closings

The Woodlands Animal Cancer and Referral Center, which opened in May, is the second animal oncology center of its kind in the Houston area.

Shout out

Podcast host and comedian Joe Rogan, who was in town for Post Malone's concert over the weekend, said The Woodlands' Tris was"one of the best meals I've ever had in my life" to his 18 million Instagram followers.