The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will receive $25 million in the next biennial state budget for the planned addition and remodeling of the Fine Arts Center approved today in Madison by Gov. Scott McCallum and the State Building Commission.

The governor visited UWSP last week to announce he was including $22 million for the addition in the state�s 2001-2003 budget. Today the commission and the governor restored an additional $3 million, which brings to $25 million the state�s commitment to cover most of the cost of construction. The entire estimated cost of the renovation is $26 million.

UWSP administrators made a compelling case for the additional amount as the renovated portion of the Fine Arts Center will be used for instructional space. Wisconsin has a strong commitment to funding instructional space on UW System campuses. Now UWSP must raise an additional $1 million in order to fully fund the 43,000 square foot addition and remodeling.

"We�re delighted and grateful for the additional $3 million designated by the Governor and the Building Commission for this exciting capital construction," said UWSP Chancellor Tom George. "We�re enthusiastic about meeting the challenge of raising $1 million to support this project which will be a tremendous resource not only to UWSP but to the community at large."

The addition and remodeling will bring new classroom and rehearsal space to the departments of art and Design, Music, and Theatre and Dance. Additional space will include a large lecture classroom and a loading dock.

Dean of Fine Arts and Communication Gerard McKenna says everyone in the college is excited about the possibility that all arts activities at UWSP can eventually be housed under one roof. This also will free up other space on campus such as rooms used by the dance program in the Health Enhancement Center and by theatre arts in the library where a computer repair facility can now be housed. With the additional space, the American Suzuki Talent Education program can be moved to the Fine Arts Center, vacating a house at the corner of Reserve and Main streets, which McKenna says will probably be sold.

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sclanton/vc/addition-bldg comm.