2008 Woodie Awards
Performing arts bldg. takes shape
Construction on the new Swope School of Music and Performing Arts Center is on track
Liz Taulbee
Issue date: 2/1/05 Section: News
It is starting to emerge. We can now see the new Swope School of Music and Performing Arts Center taking shape behind the E.O. Bull Center. Loretta MacAlpine, Director of Public Relations and Marketing on campus said, "Considering the weather, we are pretty much on track" about the construction of the building.
The Commonwealth?s Department of General Services has delegated construction responsibility to the university, which will mean that WCU will have a greater control over the whole construction process.
The Performing Arts Center, with a floor plan designed to resemble a grand piano, is going to put West Chester University second only to the Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts as having the largest number of venues.
Included in this project is a sculpture garden that will be placed near the E.O. Bull Center that will feature works donated by patrons and artists. Also a courtyard will be constructed for reflection, outdoor performances, and receptions.
The total cost of the project is going to be over $25 million.
With $17 million being investedthanks to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $3 million is paid by the university itself, and the
remaining $7 million is being paid by donors, gifts, and pledges.
According MacAlpine, the university has already accumulated over $4 million from donors and gifts, which is 60 percent of their $7 million goal.
The new building will become the new home for the music department that now resides in Swope Hall, leaving the old building to be renamed and reoccupied.
Dr. Timothy Blair, the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said, "we plan on completion during the summer of 2006 and all the students, faculty, and staff in the College of Visual and Performing Arts are looking forward to it."
The new building is going to cover 80,000 square feet and include classrooms, faculty offices, and state of the art music labs, along with a 375-seat performance hall, 125-seat recital hall, and an art gallery. It is also going to make the university the cultural center of Chester County.
The Commonwealth?s Department of General Services has delegated construction responsibility to the university, which will mean that WCU will have a greater control over the whole construction process.
The Performing Arts Center, with a floor plan designed to resemble a grand piano, is going to put West Chester University second only to the Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts as having the largest number of venues.
Included in this project is a sculpture garden that will be placed near the E.O. Bull Center that will feature works donated by patrons and artists. Also a courtyard will be constructed for reflection, outdoor performances, and receptions.
The total cost of the project is going to be over $25 million.
With $17 million being investedthanks to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $3 million is paid by the university itself, and the
remaining $7 million is being paid by donors, gifts, and pledges.
According MacAlpine, the university has already accumulated over $4 million from donors and gifts, which is 60 percent of their $7 million goal.
The new building will become the new home for the music department that now resides in Swope Hall, leaving the old building to be renamed and reoccupied.
Dr. Timothy Blair, the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, said, "we plan on completion during the summer of 2006 and all the students, faculty, and staff in the College of Visual and Performing Arts are looking forward to it."
The new building is going to cover 80,000 square feet and include classrooms, faculty offices, and state of the art music labs, along with a 375-seat performance hall, 125-seat recital hall, and an art gallery. It is also going to make the university the cultural center of Chester County.
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