Peace Center Reaches $21.5 Million Campaign Goal with County Contribution
May 15, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – May 15, 2012 – The Peace Center for Performing Arts announced that a $1 million contribution from Greenville County has allowed its 20th Anniversary Campaign to reach its $21.5 million goal. The campaign, which kicked off in January 2010 with a pledge of $2.5 million from the City of Greenville, is funding extensive renovations to the Peace Center. The renovations are helping to bring a new level of excellence to the Peace Center and reinvigorate its entire campus as an important part of the downtown experience, opening it to all visitors.
“The Peace Center is most grateful to County Council and Greenville County taxpayers for this generous gift,” said Peace Center President Megan Riegel. “It brings beautiful symmetry to the City’s gift that kicked off our campaign and is a testament to the collaborative spirit that has helped our community become a national model for public-private partnerships.”
Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven said, “The Peace Center is a critical component to the positive economic growth of Greenville County, generating $1.1 million in annual tax revenues, and having an economic impact of $25 million annually. Contributing to this project is an investment that will reap significant economic, educational, social and cultural rewards for Greenville County taxpayers for decades to come.”
Additional gifts to the 20th Anniversary Campaign are pending, which Riegel said are critical to pursuing other important project goals that had to be removed from the original construction program out of concern for funding. These projects include upgrades to the loft event space inside the Huguenot Mill and continued development of a community education center. Individuals and corporations are also encouraged to consider giving to The Peace Center Plaza Legacy Paver campaign, which will continue indefinitely and which allows purchasers to have their name permanently engraved in the paving stones in the main plaza area.
“More than 80 percent of funding for this campaign has come from the private sector and we believe there are still many individuals and corporations that will support this campaign and help The Peace Center succeed with its mission-critical projects,” explained Campaign Co-Chair and incoming Peace Center Board Chair Rick Timmons.
The significant renovations funded by the 20th Anniversary Campaign, and which have been under construction since May 2011, include:
• A redesigned Concert Hall Lobby that provides more space for patrons, and serves as a venue for outreach programs such as artist talks. The final phase of the main Concert Hall construction will feature a patron’s lounge area with a stage and dance floor, food & beverage service and an outdoor balcony overlooking the outdoor amphitheatre.
- A dynamic, new plaza that allows for greater integration with Main Street for use during festivals, such as Artisphere and Fall for Greenville, and will allow for outdoor performance classes and workshops.
- A promenade stairway with elevator service connecting the plaza to the outdoor amphitheatre area opening up more convenient public access to the northern edge of Falls Park.
- A redesigned outdoor amphitheatre called the TD Stage, which will feature a completely new performance platform, audience seating configuration and restroom facilities. Expected to be completed this Fall, the TD Stage will host professional concerts and educational performances for students.
The original elements of the 20th Anniversary Campaign construction program are scheduled for completion this Fall.
For information on how to donate to the 20th Anniversary Campaign, contact Matthew Irwin at the Peace Center at 864-679-9201 or email [email protected].
