Sandy Springs PAC Named Byers Theatre

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs will not open its doors until summer 2018, but donors are already taking a seat – at least, figuratively.

At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Sandy Springs Public Facilities Authority unanimously approved a recommendation by Sandy Springs Foundation, Inc. to name the main theatre of the Performing Arts Center the Byers Theatre.

The naming recognizes a $2.5 million philanthropic gift from Ken Byers, chairman of Byers Engineering Company, and his wife, Trish.

“We want to thank Trish and Ken for their generosity,” said Mayor Rusty Paul, who also serves as chair of the Public Facilities Authority. “The city has funded construction of the building and is committed to supporting its overall operations. However, it is through the Foundation and gifts, such as the one from the Byers, that will support bringing wide and varied programming to Sandy Springs.”

The Public Facilities Authority last month announced the availability of naming opportunities at City Springs with requests considered based on the donor’s ties with the city, consistency with the values and standards of the City, and the significance of the donation.

Ken and Trish Byers are long-time Sandy Springers and Byers Engineering Company is located within the city. Ken Byers also serves as chair of the Sandy Springs Foundation, which will oversee efforts to raise funds in support of arts programs and education initiatives at City Springs and throughout Sandy Springs.

“Trish and I share a long-time love of musical theatre and the arts,” Byers said. “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Foundation furthering the arts within Sandy Springs and the region. Programming such as musical theatre and ballet cannot operate on ticket sales alone. They need philanthropic support, and we are delighted to be a part of building that presence in Sandy Springs.”

Councilman John Paulson, who said the City Springs' moving from a dream to a reality has been a "long time coming," also said the purpose of the Foundation is to enhance what happens inside the performing arts center through initiatives such as arts education programs and other related activities.

"I think this is a great start, and I appreciate the Byers stepping up to do this," he said.

Mayor Paul added the city was lucky to snag Brandt Blocker, who resigned from Atlanta Lyric Theatre last year, to help start the City Springs Theatre Company. The company, he said, will serve as an affiliate of the Byers Theatre. This move, he added, has a tremendous amount of support to set up a "true" professional community theatre.

The Byers’ donation will be paid out over a period concluding in 2026, and the naming of the Byers Theatre will remain in place for 20 years, the city said. The Georgia General Assembly created the Public Facilities Authority as an entity through which a municipality can, by contract, lease space for terms over one year with the Authority serving as a financing and ownership partner for major city developments, such as City Springs.

Photo: Ken and Trish Byers with Mayor Rusty Paul, right. Credit: city of Sandy Springs.