Walton Arts Center renovation called evidence of facility's permanence in Fayetteville

Everyone in Fayetteville surely WANTS to believe that Curt Rom's comment is accurate, but the consultants haven't submitted their final recommendations yet. Many questions remain unanswered.


FAYETTEVILLE : Center facelift nearly done
BY AMANDA O’TOOLE
Posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/233396
FAYETTEVILLE — Renovations at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville won’t be noticeable to most patrons, but should signify the center’s plans to remain on Dickson Street, a board member said Monday.

The center’s permanence in downtown Fayetteville has been questioned over the past several months while a national firm studies the organization’s growth.

Arts Consultant Group, a Los Angeles firm that studies cultural organizations, is expected to finalize its feasibility study by November.

It’s already said that an expansion to the Walton Arts Center should include additional facilities with a theater big enough for Broadway shows and may be located in Benton or Washington counties. The additional facilities could complement the existing center in Fayetteville.

While the firm may recommend building away from Dickson Street, the money being spent on a new stage, new orchestra pit lift and spotlights at Baum Walker Hall should reaffirm the board’s plans to continue programming there, said board member Curt Rom.

“If there was a decision by the board to move, we wouldn’t be putting hundreds of thousands of dollars into the facility,” he said. “The Walton Arts Center will always be here. This is its home.”

More than $ 300, 000 from fiscal 2008, which ended in June, and in fiscal 2009, which began in July, was set aside for the improvements. All renovations should be complete in about a month.

Crews on Monday worked on piecing together the stage, made up of 375 pieces of plywood. Demolition of the original stage began July 24 and must be completed by next week when a ballet camp is scheduled to use it.

The stage still needs one more layer of plywood, two coats of paint and a hardwood covering before it’s complete.

The original stage was in bad shape after dozens of props and sets were affixed directly to it during 17 seasons, said Jesse Adams, head carpenter at Walton Arts Center.

“It’s held up to a lot,” he said, leading a media tour through limited access areas.

The pit lift was the most expensive item included in renovations and cost about $ 95, 000. The technology allows the platform to raise and lower with four motors instead of the two included on the previous model. The most noticeable change likely will be the five big-screen television monitors planned for the lobby, said Terri Trotter, the arts center’s interim president and chief executive officer. They will be used to notify patrons when they can enter the auditorium if they arrive late for a show. “We really want this building to stay state-of-the-art,” she said. “It’s a fantastic building. It commands that, really. People expect it.”

To contact this reporter: aotoole@arkansasonline. com

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