Taking center stage

A look Wednesday at the design of UTPB's new performing arts center Wednesday started with a tribute to the man who helped make it a reality.

After a moment of silence for the late State Rep. Buddy West, who helped secure tuition revenue bonds for the project, a conceptual design for the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center was unveiled at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Center for Energy and Economic Diversification.

"I was stunned," is how Grant Billingsley, chairman of the projects community advisory committee, said he felt after first seeing the designs completed by Boora Architects of Portland, Ore., and Rhotenberry Wellen Architects of Midland.

"I think it will be a landmark for the area," he said.

Billingsley said that, since utilities are being extended for the project, the building would likely draw more development to the area between Odessa and Midland. Currently, CEED, which is adjacent to the performing arts center site, runs off well water and a septic tank.

But rising labor, transportation and material costs have caused the arts centers budget to balloon to $89 million, meaning an additional $10 million will have to be raised. So Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, announced the University of Texas system will provide an additional $6 million for the project, as long as local communities can raise $4 million.

"We've got huge cost overruns because of whats happened in the economy and whats happening out here," Craddick said Wednesday.

Billingsley said construction would start in March even if the full $4 million isnt yet raised. He hopes to have the building open by early 2012.

He is confident the money will be raised.

"These people invested not knowing what the plan was," he said. "Now (new donors) can see what the program is."

Some modifications were also made to the size of the building, reducing the main hall from 2,000 to 1,800 seats, Billingsley said.

The 100,000 square-foot performing arts center, which will stand 90-feet tall, will be located adjacent to CEED near the intersection of FM 1788 and Highway 191.

"It's a massive building," said Don Wood, vice chairman of the community advisory committee.

The exterior of the building will consist of a facade of West Texas limestone, a nod to the geology of the region. Billingsley said the building, likely the most expensive building project ever in Odessa or Midland, is intended to appear to be rising from the land up to the sky.

"It will tower over the overpass and be a building you can see for miles," Billingsley said.

The upper parts of the building will be encased in reflective metal, designed to highlight the Permian Basin sky.

Inside, the theater with three levels of seating will exit onto a three-level lobby that stands between 60 and 70 feet high. Architect Jim Rhotenberry called it a grand space.

Part of attending events at this type of facility is the whole interaction, he said. Its a very social activity, a place to see and be seen.

But the performing arts center will also benefit UTPB students, said Bill Fannin, the university's provost and vice president for academic affairs. Along with cultural events, it will help draw in more respected faculty for its music and theater programs.

"For every student, its going to broaden the cultural experience," he said.

The project was largely funded by donations totaling $10 million by the late Odessa philanthropist Ellen Noël and Midlanders Cy and Lissa Wagner. A total of $20 million in community pledges was raised.

The second phase of fund-raising will initially target donations of $50,000 or more, Wood said. Eventually, smaller donors will be sought.

"When you start talking to people about selling them a brick, you need to know where the bricks go," he said.

Wood said money would be raised for the project by selling more naming rights to parts of the building, similar to the 200-seat recital hall that was named in honor of Helen Greathouse after a $2 million donation from the Greathouse Foundation. Everything from classrooms to elevator banks will be up for sale.

Despite the challenges, Billingsley said the performing arts center would continue with its primary commitments of having excellent acoustics, quality that will last for decades and expansion of opportunities for cultural entertainment.

Craddick praised the work the advisory committee had done in two years. The 24-member committee was responsible for fund-raising.

"It's a real phenomenal facility," he said. "It's going to stand out in West Texas and be something were all proud of."