SDSU breaks ground on PAC

First Bank & Trust to match contributions to raise last $1.5M

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BROOKINGS – Students, faculty, community members, alumni and benefactors gathered Friday at South Dakota State University to celebrate the groundbreaking of the university’s $50 million expansion project for the SDSU Performing Arts Center.

“The university must and will continue to grow, improve and evolve to meet the needs of those who learn here as well as those who teach here,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “Our own expanded Performing Arts Center will certainly help us fulfill our responsibility to be a comprehensive university that includes a focus on music, drama and dance.”

To date, more than 200 private donors have contributed $23.5 million. Other project investments include SDSU, $6 million; city of Brookings, $6 million; and Higher Education Facility Funds, $13 million.

To bridge the $1.5 million gap remaining to reach the $50 million goal, First Bank & Trust is challenging performing arts patrons to help finish the project by matching, dollar-for-dollar – up to $750,000 – every new commitment made during the next 12 months.

“SDSU and First Bank & Trust share a history and partnership that dates to before the city of Brookings was incorporated, and we share a passion for the arts,” said Kevin Tetzlaff, president of First Bank & Trust in Brookings. “We can’t wait to see the performing arts grow at SDSU, just as we’ve seen other programs grow when we have invested in expanded facilities.”

The Performing Arts Center, which was built in 2003, will continue regular operations during construction. The planned completion and occupancy of the expanded space is scheduled for January 2019.

In addition to the existing 1,000-seat concert hall and 180-seat black box theater, the 96,000-square-foot expansion includes an 850-seat proscenium theater; 225-seat recital hall equipped with a $1 million Reuter pipe organ, a professional dance studio, ensemble space for instrumental and vocal rehearsal and instruction, as well as faculty teaching studios, offices and classrooms.

South Dakota State University administration and students on Friday also participated in the groundbreaking for the upcoming Wellness Center expansion. The project adds 37,000 square feet and will be completed by January 2019. Administration space and several sport courts will be added to the current facility.