This email from PALMS would appear to be their formal response to the developer's donation of Church on the Square.
Dear Friend of Performing Arts:
For five years, a group of citizens has worked diligently to build a first-rate performing arts center here. We’d like to enjoy world-class talent such as Michael Buble, Norah Jones and Tony Bennett locally instead of traveling to Orlando, Tampa and Gainesville.
Now, that dream may be within our grasp if we can focus the goodwill and energies of various interested parties to create a performing arts center that has adequate size, facilities and convenient access.
As the first board president of the newly-renamed Performing Arts of Lake, Marion & Sumter, (PALMS) I am committed to achieving the goal for which so many volunteers have worked with such dedication.
I am applying my experience as a former manager for such firms as Procter & Gamble and as a longtime supporter of the arts. As president of the Columbus (MS) Arts Council for five years, I helped to create one of the best arts facilities in that region. The other board members, with a broad array of talents, are equally enthusiastic. More details will be announced in our upcoming newsletter.
As for the current issue regarding the developer’s proposal to create a theater for entertainment in The Villages, our response is: first, we applaud him for recognizing the residents’ overwhelming support for a new performing arts venue. This was the number one suggested improvement in the Villages’ own surveys in the past two years and drew 96 percent support from the PALMS online survey in July 2010.
Unfortunately, the plan to substantially rebuild the Church on the Square into a theater would create a facility that is uneconomical for attracting top entertainers, unappealing to performers and uncomfortable for the audience. The specific issues include:
· With only 1,050 seats, it is too small to present the top national acts. The first-rank centers in Florida range from 1,736 seats (Sarasota) to 1,750 (Gainesville) to 2,518 (Orlando) in order to get larger audiences and thus achieve reasonable prices. The plan has no “star” dressing rooms.
· The design has many deficiencies for performers: It only has limited chorus dressing rooms and storage space, and lacks other backstage facilities. In contrast, a true performing arts center has a “black box” theater for innovative works, rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, meeting facilities and adequate office space.
· There are many design shortcomings for the audience: The closest 172 seats to the stage are folding chairs. The remainder of the main floor has such a slight slope that many patrons would have obstructed views. One-third of the seats (336) are in the balcony, which is only accessed by one small elevator and stairs. This is not appropriate for mature audiences. There are too few restrooms to permit an intermission at shows.
However, there is a better way to establish a facility that would bring first-rank entertainers to the area of Lake, Marion and Sumter counties, stimulate economic growth, and make the region the envy of all other retirement areas in the nation.
We should build a new performing arts center in an appropriate area, with 1,500-2,000 seats, plus adequate access and parking. By showcasing big-name entertainers AND local amateur and professional talent, it would create a jewel for the regional performing arts community. Financed by grants, donations, ticket sales and concession fees, it would NOT involve any local taxes or amenity fees.
Now more than ever, we are committed to attaining our vision and mission.
With our experience and enthusiasm, PALMS is ready to work collaboratively with the developer and all interested parties to create a performing arts center that will be a joy to attend and a source of pride for us all.
Bob Rutkowski, President
Performing Arts of Lake, Marion & Sumter, Inc.(PALMS)
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