Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AMERICAN FORK, Utah (AP) -- The American Fork Arts Council wants to acquire a mostly vacant arts theater owned by the Utah State Developmental Center.
The Dan Valentine Theater at the state facility seats about 700 and city officials say it is rarely used.
"The custodian said it really hasn't been used much for the past nine years," said Arts Council board member Marie Sharon.
The council doesn't have its own theater and has had to rely on public schools to host performances in the past.
When you are putting on a play you can't put it up and take it down every night. It is not practical to have an active theater department if you don't have a facility that you are in control of.
–Paul Washburn
"The arts council is trying to basically borrow facilities in the community to do productions," said Paul Washburn, a theater enthusiast and real estate developer working with the council. "The school district has been generous, but everyone has their own issues. When you are putting on a play you can't put it up and take it down every night. It is not practical to have an active theater department if you don't have a facility that you are in control of."
City officials are currently working on a proposal that would allow them to use the theater.
American Fork Mayor J.H. Hadfield says he would like to obtain additional land around the theater, so in the future, the city could build other facilities to house arts council offices and store props and equipment.
The building is north of property the city owns that includes the amphitheater the arts council uses for performances such as Concerts in the Park. For years, there has been talk among arts groups in northern Utah County about cooperating to build an arts center. With the economic downturn, that concept has been put on hold, and the arts advocates are looking elsewhere.
American Fork Arts Council director Lori England says other communities could also use the Dan Valentine Theater. She said she envisions her role as a scheduler to coordinate usage.
"Whatever city wants to, they can come and enjoy," she said.
------
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
