The first phase of a nearly $1 million renovation project at the Wake Forest Renaissance Center will begin tomorrow, Dec. 22. Because of the work, the center and is art annex will be closed through January. A second round of renovations will be done next year.
The project will increase the center’s accessibility, technology and functionality while creating spaces in the art annex for interdisciplinary learning.
The renovation project was made possible in large part because of a $343,530 matching grant the town received in November from the Wake Board of Commissioners.
Wake Forest was one of seven Wake County towns and organizations selected by county commissioners to receive $3.35 million for projects that promote recreation or the arts. The funding came from Wake’s food and hotel-occupancy tax revenues which county leaders award periodically to projects designed to boost local tourism.
“By awarding us this grant, the Wake County Commissioners have not only acknowledged the Renaissance Centre as a viable cultural and performing arts venue, but also as an important economic driver for our community,” Mayor Vivian Jones said. “The scheduled renovations are another important step towards the center fulfilling its stated commitment of providing quality visual and performing arts programming for people of all ages.”
According to the terms of the two-to-one grant, the total amount of the town’s portion of the cost is $647,270, which was included in its five-year Capital Improvement Plan.
The renovation/upgrade plans call for remodeling the art annex in phase one to help fulfill its teaching and education program for the community while phase two will substantially change the large hall, the stage and the green room area, making larger stage productions possible and increasing the comfort of the actors and production staff.
In phase one of the plan, the arts annex will be connected to the main building – remember the two parts began as the Holding Drug Store and separate retail shops in the 1980s – carpet, tile, sinks and cabinets will be added to the classrooms and movable walls will be added to Studios A through D. An art hanging system will be added to the annex rooms. In the main building an assistive listening device system will be added along with a new alcohol closet, a snap-lock dance floor and a second-floor HVAC unit. Outside the sidewalk in front of the arts annex will be releveled.
The main building has a stage and some limited means of stage production because of its renovation about a decade ago into a ballroom dance venue. In phase two, the ceiling in the main room will be raised, the stage will be extended and the current proscenium will be removed while a theater-lighting package will be added. Upstairs the ceiling and walls in the green room and two dressing rooms will be repaired and repainted and counter tops and lighted mirrors will be added. Also added will be dressing room furniture and a refrigerator and storage cabinet in the green room. Downstairs the bathrooms will be joined to meet ADA requirements and provide a family room. There will be a new lighted sign on the front of the building. There will be new chairs in the main room along with new carpet, new choir risers, new seating risers, an upgrade in the sound system and new security cameras and alarms. The lobby will also see new window box display boxes.
One Response
I am so glad the town is investing in The Renaissance Center. The staff has shown they can provide a varied schedule of activities and events to touch a large audience including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The improvements will attract other entertainers when they see updated technology and a better stage.