An announcement came Friday about the naming rights for a $3 million project for the arts in Hazleton.
Everyone was filled with smiles and handshakes on the steps of the Greater Hazleton Area Elementary-Middle School, also known as the Castle.
A milestone was reached; a $100,000 donation for the naming rights of the school's auditorium. The money came from the family of a former teacher.
It will be called the Alice C. Wiltsie Performing Arts Center.
"Mrs. Wiltsie was in and out of the house I grew up in. The house I lived, up until her death in 1990. In fact I referred her as Aunt Alice. She was a person dedicated to promoting culture. She grew up with music, her father owned a music store and she loved any type of art," said Castle Committe board member Bob Shanno.
There is a lot of work to be done at renovating the auditorium. It will cost $3 million. The theater will be used for school events but also booked for shows.
Most of the money is coming from donations of all kinds, including free legal advice from a law firm.
"When we started doing this they didn't have any money and we didn't want people to be contributing to this project to be paying us legal fees. We think it's an important project," said Castle Committee attorney Anthony Dixon.
"We are all dedicated and devoted to making those goals. The greater Hazleton community is behind us 100 percent as well as the alumni who have attended the school over the years," said board member Alice Kender.
Officials said if people keep those donations rolling in and federal grant money comes through, the first show there could be before Christmas of next year.
Everyone was filled with smiles and handshakes on the steps of the Greater Hazleton Area Elementary-Middle School, also known as the Castle.
A milestone was reached; a $100,000 donation for the naming rights of the school's auditorium. The money came from the family of a former teacher.
It will be called the Alice C. Wiltsie Performing Arts Center.
"Mrs. Wiltsie was in and out of the house I grew up in. The house I lived, up until her death in 1990. In fact I referred her as Aunt Alice. She was a person dedicated to promoting culture. She grew up with music, her father owned a music store and she loved any type of art," said Castle Committe board member Bob Shanno.
There is a lot of work to be done at renovating the auditorium. It will cost $3 million. The theater will be used for school events but also booked for shows.
Most of the money is coming from donations of all kinds, including free legal advice from a law firm.
"When we started doing this they didn't have any money and we didn't want people to be contributing to this project to be paying us legal fees. We think it's an important project," said Castle Committee attorney Anthony Dixon.
"We are all dedicated and devoted to making those goals. The greater Hazleton community is behind us 100 percent as well as the alumni who have attended the school over the years," said board member Alice Kender.
Officials said if people keep those donations rolling in and federal grant money comes through, the first show there could be before Christmas of next year.
