BUCKHANNON – The Colonial Arts Center has scheduled its grand opening for April 15, 2023.

Colonial Arts Center Manager Anne Wilson and Buckhannon Finance and Administration Director Amberle Jenkins updated the CAC board on the ongoing construction of the building and the developing program schedule.

“Momentum continues to build for the Art Center’s grand opening on Saturday April 15, 2023, the CAC fundraising committee is meeting biweekly to discuss the campaign progress, and the CAC programming committee is meeting monthly to plan programming for the summer, fall and winter seasons,” Wilson said at the CAC Board’s Feb. 7 meeting. “A social media marketing campaign has been created for both the CAC, Facebook and Instagram accounts, with a website nearly ready to launch.”

Jenkins said there is a lot of painting that still needs to be completed, and the crews are focusing on the concession stand area right now.

“There is still a lot of painting; the majority of their work will be focused now within the concession area in the front,” Jenkins said. “They repaired the roof where the Colonial marquee is, so that’s been repaired to get rid of the drainage and now they’re going to start on all the other work inside that, which may take some time.”

The CAC still hasn’t resolved all issues with the building’s HVAC.

“The one restroom downstairs, we’re holding off finishing it because some things need to be done with the HVAC,” Jenkins said.

WVU Medicine and St. Joseph’s Hospital are also working on the designs for the basement’s creative suite.

“Once the building is fully operational, there are plans to host the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School theater group’s debut production of ‘Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras,’ a new children’s play,” Wilson said. “The following week, the CAC will host a West Virginia Dance Company performance, then the following week, BCT will debut their spring show, ‘The Red Velvet Cake War,’ so it’s going to be a very exciting April for the arts center.”

Jenkins also confirmed Buckhannon City Council approved ART 26201’s request for funds to operate the M.I.B. Gallery.

“The Revenue Review Committee met and reviewed the application from ART 26201, their request was $2,000 for the budget leading up to June 30 and then they requested $7,000 for the next year’s budget,” Jenkins said. “Council will work on the next year’s budget in the budget sessions, but they approved that, so it passed, and we will issue a check to ART 26201.”