Opera Grand Rapids Announces Rehearsal Hall Building Project -
The Betty Van Andel Opera Center
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For 40-years Opera Grand Rapids has wandered from empty storefronts, to office suites to rehearse its productions. Opera Grand Rapids is proud to announce its intent to purchase land that will become its first permanent home.
Opera Grand Rapids recently entered into a buy-sell agreement regarding a portion of a parcel of land located on East Fulton, just West of Carlton SE. The property is currently owned by the Gilmore Collection, which includes local developer John F. Gilmore, who has a long history of supporting Opera Grand Rapids, serving as the Company's first President in 1967.
Under the terms of the buy-sell agreement, Opera Grand Rapids intends to purchase the parcel for $300,000 to build its first permanent home, which will include a rehearsal hall, costume shop, property storage and offices. The building will be named The Betty Van Andel Opera Center (BVAOC), in honor of one the Company's most avid supporters.
Betty Van Andel was a member of the Opera Grand Rapids Board of Trustees from 1981 to 1990. In 2001, the Jay and Betty Van Andel Foundation awarded Opera Grand Rapids a 1 Million dollar gift to jumpstart the building project. Since the announcement of this gift, the Company has focused on becoming fiscally solvent, to create a solid foundation from which to launch the construction of the BVAOC. In 2005 the Company established a reserve fund as a safeguard against future long-term deficits, and, in 2006 it retired a long-standing deficit of more than $500,000, allowing it to operate debt free. An adherence to careful budgeting and fiscal responsibility has allowed the Company to end its last three seasons in the black.
With this solid fiscal foundation, Opera Grand Rapids is prepared to build, maintain and operate the BVAOC.
To complete the BVAOC, Opera Grand Rapids has launched a Capital Campaign with a goal of $1,950,000. As of mid-April the Company has raised more than $1,360,000 or roughly 70% of its campaign goal.
"We have 100% participation from our Board, who has contributed more than $100,000 towards the project," said Opera Grand Rapids Executive Director John Peter Jeffries.
Fundraising for the BVAOC will continue throughout the spring and summer. Ground breaking for the project is expected to take place in the summer, with plans for the Company to occupy the facility by 2009.
"This is a critical opportunity for us to get out in front of the community and let people know who we are, and how important having an opera company is for the city," said Opera Grand Rapids Development Chair, Win Irwin. "A lot of people don't understand that we are not a touring show that pops into town. Having this space will allow us to display the magic of building a unique show right here in Grand Rapids."
In the News
Don't miss the exciting conclusion of our 40th Anniversary season. On May 2 & 3, Opera Grand Rapids will make a long overdue return to the celebrated work of Richard Wagner with a special presentation of The Flying Dutchman.