WEST VALLEY CITY, May 8, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Vocal public support is growing for the West Valley City Performing Arts Center, which the city announced Monday will be permanently closed due the cost of structural repairs.
West Valley City officials have estimated repair costs could top $7 million.
On the other hand, the WVC Performing Arts Center is a beloved community resource, important to actors, designers and audience members.
So a petition, “Save the West Valley Performing Arts Center,” was established Monday and drew more than 2,600 signatures in the first two days. Newly formed Facebook groups hoping to champion the theater are searching for ways to fund some repairs while keeping the doors open and ticket money coming in.
West Valley City issued the following news release:
“It is with sadness that West Valley City and West Valley Arts announce the difficult decision to permanently close the West Valley performing Arts Center at the end of this season,” says a West Valley City government news release issued Monday.
“This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of the center’s structural integrity and huge costs associated with the repair
of the facility. Despite our best efforts to navigate fundraising and marketing challenges, the changing landscape of the performing arts
industry and the facility’s aging infrastructure have made gathering funds for necessary renovations insurmountable.
“The closure of the West Valley Performing Arts Center is a deeply regrettable but necessary step to ensure the long-term stability of West Valley Arts and its continued service to the community.”
The city statement says the 4-year-old center, which housed the Hale Centre Theatre before that theater moved to its new Sandy location, “has providing a platform for creativity, expression, and artistic excellence. For four full seasons, West Valley Arts has produced multiple award-winning performances, productions, and events at the West Valley Performing Arts Center including over 30 Broadway World Regional Awards, 7 Hart Awards, Best of SLC nominations, Best of Salt Lake runner-up, and two-time Best of State award winner. Numerous amazing actors, musicians, and performers have graced its stage, enriching the lives of audiences and artists alike. Crew members, designers, directors, staff, and everyone that it takes to create an amazing theatre experience have our heartfelt thanks and overwhelming feeling of love and support.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the patrons, supporters, volunteers, artists, and staff who have contributed to the success and legacy of the West Valley Performing Arts Center and theatre in West Valley City over the years. Your passion and dedication have been instrumental in creating memorable experiences and fostering a vibrant arts community in West Valley City and the surrounding region.”
The news release says that “While the physical doors of the West Valley Performing Arts Center may be closing, the spirit of creativity and artistic expression will continue to thrive through West Valley Arts’ ongoing programs, initiatives, and partnerships at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.”
The petition asks the theater’s supporters not to give up quite yet.
“Early yesterday, Ifo Pili, the newly commissioned West Valley City Manager, called a meeting with the staff of the West Valley City Division of Arts and Culture,” the petition says. “In this meeting, he announced the abrupt decision to close the West Valley Performing Arts Center and subsequently the disillusionment of the theatrical programming arm of West Valley Arts.
“When questioned about the decision, Mr. Pili noted this decision came about in a closed and non-public meeting of the city council, but the ultimate decision was made by himself. This decision impacts the residents of West Valley City, theatre patrons and artists in Utah including actors, technicians, set designers, intimacy coordinators, musicians, and directors that have been uplifted and enriched by the presence of West Valley Performing Arts Center, a theatre that is committed to diverse and inclusive casting and increasing accessibility to live theater.
The closing down of this venue would mean the diminishment of quality and important storytelling due to fewer opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color,) AFAB (assigned female at birth), and disabled actors and artists, as well as fewer inclusive and important venues to hold workshops, classes, and other community events for marginalized people of all stripes such as the poetry workshops, director talkbacks, and EPOCA classes (an acting class by actors of color for actors of color).”
Abravanel Hall petition
The petition noted another perceived threat to the Salt Lake County arts community, the fear that plans for an expanded sports, arts and convention district to accommodate increasing needs, such as the addition of National Hockey League team by Smith Entertainment Group, could squeeze out Abravanel Hall, the elegant but aging performance venue used by the Utah Symphony.
A May 3 petition, “Save Abravanel Hall,” has drawn more than 23,000 signatures, and inspired a joint news release Tuesday from Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, the Smith Entertainment Group and Utah Symphony management Another petition.
The joint news release tried to assure readers that the Utah Symphony has long been for inclusion in the proposed downtown sports, entertainment, culture and convention district. The joint statement does not say whether the Abravanel Hall building will remain on its current site.
WVC Performing Arts
On social media, theater fans have been complaining about the loss of an important and meaningful arts venue, and the cost to audiences and actors of losing a valued venue.
Samantha Paredes wrote the petition asking supporters to Save the West Valley Performing Arts Center.
“With the nearly concurrent pending closure of Abravanel Hall, right now is the time to make our voices heard and tell those in power that the arts are necessary and that they are not a luxury. Artists are important and we will fight to have spaces to tell our stories,” Paredes wrote.
“Venues such as WVPAC provide a safe and inclusive environment for artists to do what they love and form important professional as well as personal relationships. The stories that are told at this theater are invaluable and this venue has served as a voice in ways that other places do not dare do because of the patron demographics they serve and those that sponsor their operations. Join me in signing this petition and share with everyone in your community to save the West Valley Performing Arts Center. “
Gephardt Daily will have more information on the West Valley City Performing Arts building and on Abravanel Hall as the stories develop.
