Why two performing arts centers? | Letter

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sixteen years ago when the city of Mercer Island was revamping our civic facilities, a great deal of discussion and debate centered on what citizens’ needs and desires were. The old Mercer View Elementary School served as our community center and the “multipurpose room” served as the place where on-Island performances were presented.

As the plans for the new community center evolved, the question became where should the performing arts facility be? Some wanted it to be a part of the community center so facilities could be shared including parking. Others argued for relocating it to the high school campus.

The majority chose to build a 600 seat, $14 million performing arts center at the high school and make it a joint-use facility, so school and the city could share it, and that is what we did.

The tragedy is that despite the efforts of many citizens, myself included, we have not been able to attract much in the way of performing arts groups who are willing to come and perform on Mercer Island despite the fact that we have a very beautiful facility.

Two questions come to mind. If we build another facility, why would we think that would make anyone want to come? Why do we need two performing arts centers?

Baron Dickey

Mercer Island