ST. GEORGE — Officials and community members gathered at Utah Tech University on Friday for a ceremony about the renovation and expansion project of the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center, which will now have a new name.
This renovation project is part of a larger effort to enhance the university’s arts programs and facilities. It will include a complete remodel of the existing building, including the back-of-house areas.
Before revealing the building’s new name, Brad Last, vice president of University Advancement, introduced the panel of speakers for the event: Jeff Jarvis, College of the Arts dean; Lowry Snow, board chair for Southern Utah Performing Arts Foundation; Nate King, architect at Sparano and Mooney Architecture; and Sen. Don Ipson.
As a drumroll sounded from the band, Tammy Gallegos, chief strategic engagement officer for America First Credit Union, pulled back the curtain to reveal the new name: America First Performing Arts Center.
“Music and the arts bring people together — and America First Credit Union believes strongly in supporting and building community around the things we love, share and build together,” Gallegos said in a press release issued by the university.
Along with the $28 million appropriation by the Utah State Legislature, America First Credit Union is contributing $5 million to the project.
Snow recalled the process of securing state funding but added that donations from the community also played a part in making it possible.
“We have some that have contributed hundreds of dollars, and we have some who have contributed $10, $15, and $20,” Snow said. “That’s what we call community support.”
Ipson said he was honored to be a part of this renovation project.
“I believe in the power of community and that it brings things together,” Ipson said. “I want to thank all of those who take part in making it possible.”
“I hope this helps us continue to grow this community for generations to come,” Gallegos told St. George News. “It’s beautiful, building a place where people will come and congregate and just share life together.
The renovations
Sherry Ruesch, assistant vice president of facilities management, said there will be a myriad of changes and improvements.
“We will have new green rooms, restrooms, and a makeup area,” Ruesch said.
There will also be a rehearsal room large enough for the Heritage Choir and Southwest Symphony to practice. It will serve as a large campus event space when needed. To the south will be a large lobby, restrooms and the rehearsal and event room above.
The addition also includes an office suite for the event services department.
“The lobby will include indoor/outdoor access to ticketing and a large concession area,” Ruesch said. “The most important improvement will be in the auditorium itself, which will have new and improved acoustics.”
The renovation will address accessibility issues as well.
“It will include much-needed ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) seating at all levels, an additional large elevator, and larger restroom facilities,” she said.
There are even plans for the existing building auditorium to be updated with new production equipment, such as an orchestra shell and “most importantly” an upper balcony for additional seating, Ruesch said.
The renovation is expected to be completed by January 2026, with the newly upgraded Performing Arts Center set to be unveiled in time for the next academic season.
In the meantime, many scheduled performances will be moved to the Eccles Fine Arts Center on campus.
The Heritage Choir and Southwest Symphony, which call the current center home, have been included in the planning and design process.
“The choir and symphony will have a designated practice space and a path from that space to the stage,” Ruesch said, adding that representative Snow and leaders from the choir and symphony sat on the steering committee, ensuring their needs were addressed in the design.
Technological upgrades will include all-new house and production lighting, audiovisual improvements, acoustic treatments and digital signage. The new design will increase the seating capacity from 1,189 to 1,307 seats. Continental (no aisle) seating will be totally removed.
Ruesch said the design has taken longer than originally planned and that the addition of a balcony and the campus groundwater and soil issues “have caused some level of difficulty in the structural design.”
She said that those hiccups are minor, a sentiment echoed by panelists and Gallegos.
“There is no better way to support the arts than partnering with Utah Tech,” Gallegos said. “We’re excited to put our name on it and be part of this wonderful organization.”
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.