Tuesday, June 19, 2012

UPDATED 4:45: Kiwanis proposes donating $1.1M toward Manatee Players' new venue in Bradenton

UPDATED 4:45: Kiwanis proposes donating $1.1M toward Manatee Players' new venue in Bradenton


The Kiwanis Club of Bradenton voted today to submit a letter of intent to the Manatee Players’ Board of Directors outlining a completion plan for the Manatee Performing Art Center’s second floor, reads an email sent by the Manatee Players.

This upper level of the multi-use venue being built near the Bradenton Riverwalk would include classroom space, a sewing room, costume storage, rehearsal space, meeting/conference room and a catering kitchen .

Among the contingencies of the proposal on the new home of the Manatee Players, which the community theater troupe hopes to have ready for a production of "Miss Saigon" next March, would be approval by the City of Bradenton, Bradenton Riverfront Partners and the community’s financial commitment to open the current phase of construction.

About three months ago, the Kiwanis Club presented the Manatee Players with a check for $250,000.

Monday, the county Tourist Development Council voted to recommend a $250,000 matching grant for the center financed with an overage accrued from bed taxes during a particularly successful winter tourist season.

The Manatee County Commission must still approve its recommendation.

The goal of the Manatee Players Capital Campaign is about $15 million, but the facility could operate at $12 million; with the $250,000 grant and a match, the theater troupe would be about $600,000 or $700,000 short of being operational, said Janene Witham, executive director of the Manatee Players.

The Manatee Performing Arts Center will seat 380 in its main room, Cora may Stone Hall, while only 238 people fit inside the Bradenton company's Riverfront Theatre on Old Main Street.

Manatee tourism council OK's $250,000 grant for Manatee Players theater

Manatee Players raise $1.75 million toward new theater in Bradenton 

—Photo of the Manatee Performing Arts Center provided by Manatee Players

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2012/03/manatee-players-lead-36-hour-giving.html#storylink=cpy


No comments: