SANTA MARIA, Calif. - An 8-million dollar project to bring in a performing arts center to Santa Maria is in the early planning stages. It was originally set to be used by the school districts but now Santa Maria wants to lend a hand.
The Joint Union High School District came up with the plans to build the center. Now they are waiting for a letter of interest from the city of Santa Maria stating what the city intends to use the center for and more importantly, how much money they can front to join in on the project.
City Manager Rick Haydon said over the phone that the city sees a need for a performing arts center for city and public use. Haydon also said the city is clearly not in a position financially to build a center themselves, so teaming up with the Joint Union High School District would lessen the financial burden.
The center will be built on the northeast side of the Pioneer Valley High School campus. According to the Joint Union High School District Director of Support Services, Gary Wuitschick, original plans for the size of the project could change if the city finds funding to pitch in.
"If they are able to come through with, and I'm not sure the exact amount, but some additional funds to assist us with, it would give us the opportunity to expand the facility".
The expanded facility would include a larger seating capacity from 365 to 500. That would require additional bathrooms to be built and a larger lobby.
City Manager Haydon made it clear that the city's general fund has no money to put into the project, so they're going to have to look into grants and other financing options to get this done.
