Pinehurst to Hold Discussion on Performing Arts Center

Sunday, April 15, 2012

By Tom Embrey

Senior Writer

The village of Pinehurst will host a public information meeting regarding the concept of a Pinehurst Performing Arts Center at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Assembly Hall of the Pinehurst Village Hall.

The meeting will provide Webb Management Services, the firm engaged by the village of Pinehurst to conduct a needs assessment, an opportunity to share some preliminary information as well as -provide the public an opportunity to offer any comments.

The New York-based Webb Management Services spent three days in Pinehurst and the surrounding area in February interviewing dozens of people as well as touring and visiting all the significant performance -venues in the area.

Duncan Webb, president of the firm, said during his visit that he is focusing on a -broader topic than just a performing arts center in Pinehurst. He is also asking what role the cultural arts should play in the village and then see what that says about a need for facilities.

"Ultimately, the community has to buy in," Webb said at the time of his visit. "The key thing is whatever we recommend has to make sense for Pinehurst. A lot of that depends on how the community grasps or doesn't grasp the ideas we present."

The idea for a performing arts center was first proposed last summer by David Michael Wolff, founder and conductor of the Carolina Philharmonic. He proposed a 2,200-seat performing arts center that would also include an educational component.

Wolff's work led to -discussions about a possible site for a facility, which spurred discussions and prompted supporters of the concept to ask the council to fund a feasibility study.

In January, the council appropriated $33,500 from its general fund to pay for the study. Supporters have said the assessment is a critical piece to determine if an arts center is feasible in Moore County.

Webb Management has conducted similar work in Durham, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, Charlotte and Blowing Rock.

A final report on the needs assessment will be completed after the public information meeting, and Webb Management will return in May to present its findings to the Pinehurst Village Council.

If there is a need for a -performing arts center, the second phase of the study would be the development of a business plan. That phase, according to a proposal from Webb Management, would cost $24,000 plus expenses reimbursement of $3,600. The second phase of the study would take about 10 weeks.

For any questions, contact Assistant Village Manager Jeff Batton at (910) 295-1900.

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.

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tarheelborn 1 year, 1 month ago

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING!

"interviewing dozens of people as well as touring and visiting (all) the significant performance -venues in the area. I DON'T THINK SO! One would beg to ask the question's. Did they visit and enjoy any performance at the "Sunrise Theater, Sandhills Community College, or Better Yet, where the REAL ENTERTAINMENT Is, Carolina Hotel, Magnolia Inn, Pinecrest Inn, Pinehurst Arboretum which BY THE WAY, is supposed to be why all that money was spent, and the list goes on and on and on, Not to even mention numerous other venues in Southern Pines! I get so sick and tired of ELECTED Officials acquiring OUR (THE CITIZENS) OPEN CHECKBOOK, and then Spending like it is THEIR MONEY!

Listen. "In January, the council appropriated $33,500", "He proposed a 2,200-seat performing arts center that would also include an educational component". OH MY GOSH! I would be willing to wager a cup of STRONG COFFEE, so these nuts could SOBER UP that maybe 200 People in this county would come out! "That phase, according to a proposal from Webb Management, would cost $24,000 plus expenses reimbursement of $3,600. The second phase of the study would take about 10 weeks."! Can't you see what the Heck is going on here? Somebody wants a Fat Paycheck to keep up their Lavish Lifestyle for ANOTHER 10 WEEKS! "Ultimately, the community has to buy in," Webb said" (Bull Poop) The Community don't have to buy into anything. It is the Elected officers of OUR CHECK BOOK is all needed to BUY IN! And I also Detest that TERM (BUY IN). That term sounds like these people are the SPECULATORS that have gotten this country in the current mess we are in! The Term BUY-IN has been used in the Gambling Casinos and WALL STREET MADOFF's for DECADES! "Webb Management has conducted similar work in Durham, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, Charlotte and Blowing Rock." If this is such a WELL RESPECTED Firm, why the heck are they trying to work for some little county like Moore and Village like Pinehurst??? Go BACK to New York and start Lobbying, Paris, Los Angles, Miami, and these other LARGE Cities! ! ! ! ! Stay the heck out of Pinehurst and Moore County!

Ha. Do you think that will happen? Of course not. Because there are special interest people on the Village Counsel Board, which want to see their FRIENDS and ACQUAINTANCES get some of Pinehurst's RICH MONEY and keep them from New York with a JOB!

If you ask me, (and I have been asked or the Pilot would have not created this blog opportunity), THIS IS ROTTEN TO THE CORE!

Sorry, but Pinehurst and Moore County needs to keep our money, because this is ONLY the Beginning PHASE of the Several MILLION DOLLARS which these Crooks will be milking out of us, just so SOMEONE can get the credit and have their name attached to a building !

blessherheart 1 year, 1 month ago

I think it is a wonderful idea. :)

AFCHIEF 1 year, 1 month ago

Moore County is in desperate need of some sort of Convention Center or Exhibition Center.

Bflat 1 year, 1 month ago

We alreay have a convention facility in the Hotel. If Pinehurst wants to build such a facility then it should be the one visiting other places to see what they have instead of kissing away tax money on outsiders that may not have a clue what we want or need.

Some people think we need an outlet mall to bring more jobs to the area. We have Kohl's now , so where are all the shoppers? There were only 3 in the store besides the sales people when I visited. And by the way, we are still in a very down economy. Is this Art/Convention facility going to be another thing like what happened in Roanoke Rapids? Is Pinehurst going to become another Myrtle Beach drawing in people to the "shows?" Hmmmm 2200 seats in a county of over 85000...

AFCHIEF 1 year, 1 month ago

The convention center in the hotel is small, AND there is absolutley NO PARKING when several events are held at the same time. I can speak from experience on this issue.

doughnuts 1 year, 1 month ago

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?

JoeGarrison 1 year, 1 month ago

All government should stick to keeping us safe, maintaining our infrastructure, and making sure that education is top notch. If there are several citizens who want to have a performing arts center than why not let the private citizens raise the money to build it and run it. Why does everytime the people want something that we expect the government to pay for it?

theonewithsense 1 year, 1 month ago

$33,500 for phase I of a study? Someone got taken!

bubbasmith 1 year, 1 month ago

@tarheelborn- Do you live in Pinehurst?

Easygoing 1 year, 1 month ago

No taxpayer money should be spent on this project. If the group that is leading up this effort wants to raise the money and build a center (assuming it fits in with the zoning and other requirements and they can find their own parking) then that's fine. Just do not ask all the taxpayers of Pinehurst to pay for some pied piper's dream. There is an endless stream of special interests that are lined up to reach into the pockets of everyone else. Time for the Village to get out of that business and start focusing on providing the services they are chartered to provide with minimal cost. This endless string of consultants and studies is costing everyone a lot of money.