FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington: Cathy Lyttle—614.438.3077; cmlyttle@worthingtonindustries.com
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$725,000 for Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $725,000 at its quarterly meeting today for the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington.
The McConnell Arts Center will serve as a centerpiece venue for the city of Worthington’s arts community. The Center will feature a 216-seat auditorium, classrooms, studios, offices and exhibit spaces. Many of these areas will be multiuse and available for public and private meetings, and community events. The project to renovate and expand the original 1915 Worthington High School building is underway, and project completion is expected in August 2009.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Worthington Arts Council to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 699 of the 126th General Assembly and Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Franklin County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bills include Senators David Goodman, Jim Hughes and Ray Miller; Representatives Kevin Bacon, Ted Celeste, Tracy Maxwell Heard, and Dan Stewart; former Senator Steve Stivers; and former Representatives Joyce Beatty, Larry Flowers, Jim McGregor, Linda Reidelbach, Geoffrey Smith, Mike Mitchell and Larry Wolpert.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
