News
Performing Arts group needs $105K for match
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| MARIO AUGUILAR | GREEN VALLEY NEWS Phase II construction of the new performing arts center building in Green Valley in under way at the Pima Community College campus, 1250 W. Continental Road. |
By Regina Ford, Green Valley News
Even with a $145,000 raised to date for a performing arts center in Green Valley, fundraising leaders announced they are still looking for more donations to complete the project.
The Community Performing Arts Center Foundation needs to collect another $105,000 to fulfill the $250,000 matching grant from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation that was put into place by the mine last year.
The firm that acquired Phelps-Dodge Corp. offered the all-or-nothing grant in November and gave the performing arts foundation a Dec. 1, 2008, deadline to raise another $250,000.
At that time, the performing arts foundation had accumulated $24,950 in its coffers.
The grant to the Community Performing Arts Center is part of a $4.7 million package of grants and gifts awarded in Arizona last year by Freeport-McMoRan, whose Sierra mining operations west of Green valley employ more than 1,000 people.
Community Performing Arts Center Foundation President Al Saterbak said he’s “extremely pleased” with the money raised to date, but expressed a sense of urgency to “keep the donation momentum going.”
“We promised this community a decent performance venue at least by the year 2009 and the board is very concerned about making its goal,” he said. “We need the community’s support to make this matching grant a realty.”
Saterbak said the county already earmarked $3.1 million in 2004 bond issue funds, plus $250,000 in bond interest money to complete Phase II of the center. Phase II includes a 202-seat theater and recital hall, as well as a rehearsal hall. There will also be a lobby and reception area, theatrical dressing rooms, a scene shop and an art gallery.
According to Saterbak, most of the cost of Phase II will be covered by the 2004 Pima County bond issue.
The community arts foundation has committed to raising $500,000 to provide furnishings and equipment for the auditorium, including a theatrical sound board and lighting systems, premier seating and ongoing support for educational enrichment and entertainment.
Visitors to the Community Performing Arts and Learning Center at the Green Valley Pima Community College campus, 1250 W. Continental Road, will see construction of Phase II under way.
The recent revelation of budget crunches has impacted state spending, including projects in Green Valley, according to Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
“We are 100 percent committed to getting the Green Valley project completed and up and running,” Huckelberry said in a telephone interview last week. ”Our goal is to get this project up and operational. We are looking at this again as we prepare budgets for the next fiscal year which begins July 1.”
Saterbak says the county has the funds to complete the external construction of the building, but not enough to cover the furnishings and equipment, such as a sound system, theatrical lighting and seating.
“The seating is around $70,000 and the stage lighting is around $30,000 to $35,000 and I think the county is hoping the board will find a way to get funding,” Saterbak said. “I have been told there is no money for next year for utilities, maintenance and staff at the performing arts center. I have also been told that there is no money for any new expenditures which means we can’t even unlock the door to Phase II. We will have a beautiful shell of a building.”
Saterbak says some modifications have been made to the original building plans in order to cut costs.
“Our board is committed to do anything it can to see that this building opens by January 2009,” he said. “If we meet this challenge grant before Dec. 1, and hopefully before that, we can go to the county and tell them we have the money to put in the seats, lighting and open this building. All the county has to do is come up with the utilities.”
Phase III of construction will take place sometime after 2008 and will include a 500-seat main theater, a stage house, additional lobbies and the main art gallery. Financing for this phase is still under study.
To make a donation, visit cpacfoundation.org, e-mail info@CPACFoundation.org or call 399-1750.
rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740
The Community Performing Arts Center Foundation needs to collect another $105,000 to fulfill the $250,000 matching grant from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation that was put into place by the mine last year.
The firm that acquired Phelps-Dodge Corp. offered the all-or-nothing grant in November and gave the performing arts foundation a Dec. 1, 2008, deadline to raise another $250,000.
At that time, the performing arts foundation had accumulated $24,950 in its coffers.
The grant to the Community Performing Arts Center is part of a $4.7 million package of grants and gifts awarded in Arizona last year by Freeport-McMoRan, whose Sierra mining operations west of Green valley employ more than 1,000 people.
Community Performing Arts Center Foundation President Al Saterbak said he’s “extremely pleased” with the money raised to date, but expressed a sense of urgency to “keep the donation momentum going.”
“We promised this community a decent performance venue at least by the year 2009 and the board is very concerned about making its goal,” he said. “We need the community’s support to make this matching grant a realty.”
Saterbak said the county already earmarked $3.1 million in 2004 bond issue funds, plus $250,000 in bond interest money to complete Phase II of the center. Phase II includes a 202-seat theater and recital hall, as well as a rehearsal hall. There will also be a lobby and reception area, theatrical dressing rooms, a scene shop and an art gallery.
According to Saterbak, most of the cost of Phase II will be covered by the 2004 Pima County bond issue.
The community arts foundation has committed to raising $500,000 to provide furnishings and equipment for the auditorium, including a theatrical sound board and lighting systems, premier seating and ongoing support for educational enrichment and entertainment.
Visitors to the Community Performing Arts and Learning Center at the Green Valley Pima Community College campus, 1250 W. Continental Road, will see construction of Phase II under way.
The recent revelation of budget crunches has impacted state spending, including projects in Green Valley, according to Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
“We are 100 percent committed to getting the Green Valley project completed and up and running,” Huckelberry said in a telephone interview last week. ”Our goal is to get this project up and operational. We are looking at this again as we prepare budgets for the next fiscal year which begins July 1.”
Saterbak says the county has the funds to complete the external construction of the building, but not enough to cover the furnishings and equipment, such as a sound system, theatrical lighting and seating.
“The seating is around $70,000 and the stage lighting is around $30,000 to $35,000 and I think the county is hoping the board will find a way to get funding,” Saterbak said. “I have been told there is no money for next year for utilities, maintenance and staff at the performing arts center. I have also been told that there is no money for any new expenditures which means we can’t even unlock the door to Phase II. We will have a beautiful shell of a building.”
Saterbak says some modifications have been made to the original building plans in order to cut costs.
“Our board is committed to do anything it can to see that this building opens by January 2009,” he said. “If we meet this challenge grant before Dec. 1, and hopefully before that, we can go to the county and tell them we have the money to put in the seats, lighting and open this building. All the county has to do is come up with the utilities.”
Phase III of construction will take place sometime after 2008 and will include a 500-seat main theater, a stage house, additional lobbies and the main art gallery. Financing for this phase is still under study.
To make a donation, visit cpacfoundation.org, e-mail info@CPACFoundation.org or call 399-1750.
rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740
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