Walton Arts Center Unveils Plans for $20 Million Expansion
By: Liz Hogan
Updated: September 26, 2012
Big news from the Walton Arts Center concerning the expansion plans in Fayetteville.
At Tuesday afternoon's board meeting, the WAC unveiled plans to add approximately 30,000 square feet of space, hopefully by 2015.
The $20 million expansion project focuses on five areas:
A larger lobby and plaza area out in front of the main entrance.
An expansion and renovation of Starr Theatre, including its own dedicated entrance.
Adding more room to backstage areas, providing more storage space, dressing rooms and even a catering kitchen for performers.
Reconfiguring the rose garden.
Expanding the WAC's administration offices.
"We couldn't be more excited about this vision for the expansion of the Walton Arts Center," said Peter Lane, President/CEO. "After 20 years of growth and success, this expansion will give us the space we need to grow our programs, better serve our patrons and partner organizations and bring more events to the Dickson Street area."
The WAC Council unanimously endorsed the expansion plans.
Mayor Lioneld Jordan and Chancellor David Gearhart were both in attendance.
Lane said the design plans are flexible, allowing the WAC to grow its Fayetteville campus no matter where the city decides to build a downtown parking deck.
"We can go lots of different ways, if the city chooses to put the parking deck across the street, terrific, if they choose to put it on the Walton Arts Center parking lot, that'll be great too," Lane said.
At Tuesday afternoon's board meeting, the WAC unveiled plans to add approximately 30,000 square feet of space, hopefully by 2015.
The $20 million expansion project focuses on five areas:
A larger lobby and plaza area out in front of the main entrance.
An expansion and renovation of Starr Theatre, including its own dedicated entrance.
Adding more room to backstage areas, providing more storage space, dressing rooms and even a catering kitchen for performers.
Reconfiguring the rose garden.
Expanding the WAC's administration offices.
"We couldn't be more excited about this vision for the expansion of the Walton Arts Center," said Peter Lane, President/CEO. "After 20 years of growth and success, this expansion will give us the space we need to grow our programs, better serve our patrons and partner organizations and bring more events to the Dickson Street area."
The WAC Council unanimously endorsed the expansion plans.
Mayor Lioneld Jordan and Chancellor David Gearhart were both in attendance.
Lane said the design plans are flexible, allowing the WAC to grow its Fayetteville campus no matter where the city decides to build a downtown parking deck.
"We can go lots of different ways, if the city chooses to put the parking deck across the street, terrific, if they choose to put it on the Walton Arts Center parking lot, that'll be great too," Lane said.
