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Performing Arts Project Goes Public

At a major fundraising event hosted by Trustee John Whitmore and his wife, Suzanne (greeting a guest, far right), President Baird Tipson chats with Charlie Lea as Richard Grieves '83 and Edward Nordberg '82 look on. Whitmore and Nordberg, co-chairs of the Performing Arts Campaign Committee, announced that the public phase of the campaign starts now.
At a major fundraising event hosted by Trustee John Whitmore and his wife, Suzanne (greeting a guest, far right), President Baird Tipson chats with Charlie Lea as Richard Grieves '83 and Edward Nordberg '82 look on. Whitmore and Nordberg, co-chairs of the Performing Arts Campaign Committee, announced that the public phase of the campaign starts now.
Photo: Heather Holiday '06

Fundraising for the Gibson Performing Arts Center renovation and expansion project is moving apace, topping $5.1 million in March toward a $7 million goal. The latest endorsement: a $1.5 million gift from John Underwood through the John C. Underwood and Nancy L. Underwood Trusts. Just two years ago, Mr. Underwood donated $1 million to establish the Nancy L. Underwood Chair in Art and Art History, in memory of his wife.

The Underwood gift for the performing arts center will fund construction of the new lobby, which will be named after the couple and will house their portrait. College advancement officials are launching the public phase of the performing arts campaign during Reunion Weekend, endeavoring to raise nearly $2 million from a broad base of alumni and friends over the next 12 months.

Finn Caspersen, chairman of the Hodson Trust since 1976, is a national leader in the field of education, with particular interest in American history and conservation.
Finn Caspersen, chairman of the Hodson Trust since 1976, is a national leader in the field of education, with particular interest in American history and conservation.

Construction stalled this spring, however, as the College negotiated with architects and contractors to control costs. The initial contractor's bid came in more than $7 million over what the architects had projected would amount to $17.5 million in construction costs.

"It's not unusual for the contractor's bid to be a little higher than the original estimate," College President Baird Tipson said, "but this was 50% higher than we anticipated.

Right now, the architect and the contractor are talking, and the best-case scenario would be to meet somewhere in the middle without compromising the integrity of the project. While the plans provide 50% more floor space, it's still not an extravagant amount of square footage, given the programmatic demands on the facility."

If the contractors can begin in June, the facility should be ready for occupancy in Fall 2009. To offer your support, visit performingarts.washcoll.edu/.

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