A Pendergrass company is set to begin work this month on improvements around Lake Lanier Islands' amphitheater.

The Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority Board voted in December to contract with Allied Paving Contractors for the work, which should take about four months to complete.

"The scope of work includes reconstructing the existing roadways, adding pedestrian pathways, renovation of parking lots, new lighting and signage," said Bill Donohue, the authority's executive director, last week.

Nearly $1.46 million has been approved to date on the project, Donohue said.

Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority and Lake Lanier Islands Management, which leases the resort from the state-run development authority, are working together to improve the aging amphitheater and surrounding area, which used to be known as Presentation Pointe.

As part of a master plan, extensive work totaling some $75 million has been done throughout the popular 1,100-acre resort, including new roads and the main bridge over Lake Lanier, completion of Legacy Lodge & Conference Center and construction of villas next to the lodge.

One key adjustment was moving the main gates beyond Peachtree Point so that people can get to the amphitheater and surrounding areas without paying admission.

Fixing up that area "allows us to really enhance that whole part of the island, which is more and more popular," Donohue said in an August interview.

Functions could range from large-scale weddings and movie nights to musical theater performances and high school band concerts, he said.

Allied Paving's work should finish before the start of the resort's 2012 summer season.

The development authority is working with management "on the plans for the actual amphitheater improvements that will be completed by (management) in 2012," Donohue said.