WAC Renovations Expected by 2016

The Walton Arts Center expects improvements to its Fayetteville campus to be finished sometime in 2016, the center announced shortly after voters approved three bond issues Nov. 12, including one for $6.9 million to renovate the center.

Improvements will include an expanded lobby and seating, technical upgrades, more restrooms, concessions and enhanced access for the 22-year-old building. WAC officials say the upgrades will make the center more enticing for larger productions.

Much of the work will be done during the off-peak summer months to minimize the impact on programming.

“We are so grateful for the amount of community support for this bond initiative and excited for the future of Fayetteville,” said Peter Lane, the center’s president and CEO.

At a Nov. 12 special election, voters also approved bond issues of $1.5 million to pay off the remaining balance on the Fayetteville Town Center, and $3.5 million to help fund construction of a regional park in the southwest part of town near Cato Springs Road. The bonds will be retired with the existing hotel-motel-restaurant tax.