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It is very early in the planning stages, but the American Fork Arts Council is looking at ways to build an arts center.
No decision has yet been made about the location for the center, or even what type of facility it may be. Some have asked for a place to perform theater, but a recent announcement that Sandy City is planning on building a $350 million center, which would include a 2,500-seat Broadway-style theater, has prompted American Fork to take a second look and perhaps go a different direction.
One of the latest proposals is for a concert hall that could also be used as a theater.
Donald Ripplinger, who serves on the Arts Council governing board, said even BYU does not have a full-fledged concert hall. The deJong Concert Hall in the Harris Fine Arts Center comes close, but is more of a multi-purpose facility than a true concert hall, he said.
The group plans on going on a field trip next month to consider locations for a center. Those may include an area near The Meadows or one in the city's center. They are looking at combining the purchase of existing buildings, such as the Apollo Dance Hall or former Harrington School, with new construction.
Another of the first steps is to commission a survey by Dan Jones and Associates. It would be a randomized telephone survey to determine resident interest and support for the arts. Those from north of Lindon to the county line will be included in the survey.
Councilwoman Heidi Rodeback serves on the Arts Council's governing board and said the city would be hard-pressed to offer much financial support. She said she felt there would be more support if the arts center were part of an economic stimulus program, which would be expected to draw customers and others into an area, perhaps the downtown.
When the board determines the direction they would like to go with the arts facility, members would approach potential investors for financial support.
Ripplinger suggested trying to raise enough money to create an endowment that would create sufficient interest to support and sustain the project. He said that would be at least $10 million.
He had high hopes for a concert hall facility.
"We could build something the likes of which are nowhere else in the country," he said. |
