News - Local - South County

Monday, Aug. 11, 2008

Clark Center in Arroyo Grande has a $10 million goal

The foundation running the Arroyo Grande facility is launching a fundraising campaign to pay for maintenance and improvements that it hopes will attract more performances

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To attract more performances, make capital improvements and maintain the facility’s current condition, the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande is launching a campaign to raise $10 million.

The money would go toward an endowment fund the center says is needed to keep the $9.2 million facility in the same condition as it was when it was opened in 2002, said Steve Cool, marketing director for the center’s foundation.

The campaign’s launch coincides with the opening of the center’s season on Friday, he said.

The 600-seat auditorium, which is owned by the Lucia Mar Unified School District, is used for school events, seminars, theatrical productions, concerts and special events.

The foundation is trying to boost its use by marketing it to brides, more nonprofit groups and companies that could use the center’s many rooms or its little theater.

Earlier this year, the center’s fees were raised for the first time to help offset maintenance costs.

Part of the agreement that allowed the center to be built next to Arroyo Grande High School was that students would be able to use the center much of the time for free.

Erik Howell, president of the district’s school board, said that fundraising may be the best way to keep the center in good condition.

“The center still looks brand-new,” Howell said. “Especially with the state

budget the way it is, an endowment that could help with maintenance would be incredible.”

The center is spending $2.2 million to build an annex and dressing rooms for performing groups. The original design left little space for a separate dressing area and green room, said Barry Hamlin, theater manager.

“When we raised our money to build the entire facility, we didn’t have enough for the green room, prop room, etc.,” Cool said. “Now we want to do right.”

Other improvements could include an entrance and foyer area for the little theater and the addition of updated sound and lighting fixtures.

The Clark Center is kicking off its season Friday with a production that pays tribute to Ray Charles called “What I’d Say.”