Well said Swrinfla -

I think there's room for both the Church on the Square, the Savannah Center, and a new PAC, perhaps near Brownwood Paddock as there is going to be easier access from the Interstate and turnpike to attract outsiders to help support it. Besides the 100,000 plus expected residents in TV, there are also thousands of retirees with the time and interest to support all. And we babyboomers are just starting to retire!

The parking in Spanish Springs right now is probably barely adequate for the square entertainment and the Church on the Square - at least it seems like that to me - and we haven't even been there yet during the high season!

You have been missed; welcome back.

i would have to see the cost and plans before I think this is such a great idea. As many have said, too many times they don't support the cost to maintain. Case here in Providence. I can travel to other sites now and when I get to the point I can't; I don't think I would be driving my Golf Cart there either. Just my thoughts

A long time ago, when T.V. owned & operated what was called Augustines bar and restaraunt on the corner in Town Square, they had a micro brewery. It also supplied great beer to all the developer owned places around the square, ie. Katie Belles, McCalls, Cafe O'le (as was) and Augies.
When Augustines was taken over, along with the micro brewery, beer sales in other places ceased, and all production was for Augies only.
My guess is that the brewery couldn't survive serving one outlet only, even if it made great products.
WAS IT TRUE, AS WAS SAID AT THE TIME, THAT BECAUSE OF SOME LAW, THE BREWERY COULD NOT SELL ELSEWHERE BECAUSE OF IT'S PROXIMITY TO A CHURCH??
If Church on the Square goes as a place of worship, could our beloved brewery return!!
Sorry if I appear to be more interested in beer than the Arts or Religion but I bet TV sold more properties based on having a micro brewery than an Arts Center or another Church

I DON'T think the Church on the square serves as a church. It is the architectural design of a church to "flesh out the square " as an old Spanish place I believe. The Church on the Square has been a place where people can listen to music and speakers.

I don't think it has religious services. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

No, you're right, Gracie. I took my daughter there one Sunday morning while we were strolling around Spanish Springs, to show her the inside of Church on the Square, and it was locked up tight. It is not used for religious services, altho there may be an occasional wedding there, I don't know.

Church on the Square is not an appropriate choice for a performing arts center. It is way too small, even if modified, and has no Stadium seating. Not sure what the underlying motivation is but it's a very poor choice for a Performing Arts Center! Why accept a poor solution just because it's "free"?

Seems to me the underlying motivation is the fact that it currently generates no steady stream of income....gn

Church on the Square
 

Today in the Daily Sun, under "Local Religion Listings" -- it lists --

Church on the Square, Services: noon Sundays.

Maybe someone has more information on this.

They definitely have Sunday morning service at Church on the Square....in fact, I am singing two solos for church service tomorrow. Service starts at noon.

It is my understanding that the church will be gutted and the renovation plans are for 1000 plus seat state of the art theatre with stadium seating. Part of the parking lot will be needed for the expansion. I think that the location was in part chosen to revitalize Spanish Springs town square. Too many empty restaurants and store fronts. Maybe restaurants will return if customers want dinner and a show? It will be sad to see the small concert venue disappear, but maybe they will move their free concerts to Savanah instead?

Thank you Sue for the information on the church services and on the plans for refashioning the church. Both sound very nice. The church service especially since you are singing and the plans for the redoing of the church for a theatre. I was thinking about it just now and I thought if they expanded sideways into the parking lot it could be a wowser place.

They....the unseen powers that shape this place are way ahead of me as they usually are. We returned last night and as we drove around today, again, I am just astonished how beautiful and perfectly planned it is.

So nice to be home!

What no one has mentioned yet, as stated in the article in yesterday's Daily Sun is: (sorry there is no online link, I have to do quotes)


".... to donate the building and land, which has been appraised at $4.9 million, to the Villages Center Community Development District and the AAC."

"The VCCDD and AAC would be responsible for renovation and expansion costs, which were estimated to be about $4.4 million, for a completed 1050 seat center."

At this evening's POA meeting, a representative of PALMS commented that while the developer's offer to donate Church on the Square was greatly appreciated, that even with modifications, Church on the Sq could not adequately satisfy the needs of a successful performing arts center. He said the seating capacity (1K) would not allow them to attract top-tier entertainment which requires 1.5-2K. Each row of seats would be progressively elevated no more than 2.5 inches--not enough to see above the person in front of you. The 300 seats in the choir loft are currently serviced by one small elevator and two single bathrooms. There are too few dressing rooms, and finally the parking question--where would 1K people park in SS which already has limited parking during regular events. I got the impression that PALMS is aggressively continuing their search for another venue. Their site selection is down to nine sites. Of course the developer, rather than lose the performing arts center, may still come up with another more suitable property. Bottom line, this is not a slam dunk for Church in the Square.

George

Thanks for the update.

Is this the official position of PALMS??