Makeover Eyed At Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center

SIMSBURY, CT — The town-owned cultural and arts hub that is the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center could get further funding to fuel renovations and expansion of the facility.

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen late last month unanimously voted to seek state funding via the Connecticut Community Challenge Grant.

The performing arts center band shell project would include new public bathrooms, new office building/meeting space as well as stage expansion and infrastructure upgrades at the 22 Iron Horse Blvd. site.

If all goes well, the town will receive the state grant and, at least, $740,000 or more in funding.

The deadline to apply was Friday, Oct. 7.

Even if the town fails to achieve the grant, which is what happened a year ago, it still has $350,000 set aside in its capital improvements budget for the bathroom facilities.

The nonprofit group that manages the PAC was asked to come up with a business plan, according to Simsbury Town Manager Maria Capriola via Sept. 28 meeting minutes.

She said Simsbury Meadows has provided match funds from their reserves as well as some sizable donations that they have received.

According to meeting minutes, Capriola said there could be a gap between the cost of the project and the revenue available.

Should that happen, Simsbury Meadows would need to come back to selectmen to discuss options.

For the minutes of the Sept. 28 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For more information on the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, click on this link.

For more information on the Connecticut Community Challenge Grant, click on this link.