Retired U. S. Bank President Clifford Wert told the Joplin R-8 Board of Education that the added construction would not delay the return of JHS arts students to the high school. At the present time, students are attending classes and practices at the former Memorial Middle School. The performing arts center is scheduled to be ready next spring.
Not one cent for the project would come from taxpayer money, Sharon Beshore of Connect2Culture (pictured) and Wert said, though no specific figures were provided as to how much it would cost and Beshore and Wert indicated the fundraising process had not yet begun.
Beshore described the project as making a "significant contribution to the lifeblood of the community."
The addition would make the site attractive to contemporary musical performers, classic rock, "smaller Broadway productions, something for everyone," Beshore said.
One name that was never mentioned during the presentation was Wallace-Bajjali Development Partners. The City of Joplin's master developer has included this project, before the school district idea was proposed, in its presentations to the Redevelopment Board and City Council.
The Board of Education voted unanimously to explore the partnership proposal.
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12 comments:
Memorial Hall? MSSU?
People don't ask unless they want something. Really...what is in this for
"The kids?"
1. Who pays for the upkeep?
2. Who pays for the heat and air?
3. Most important, how do you keep the "visitors" away from our children. You know, the children whose nude pictures CJ's chief of internet security had on his computer? And all of their peers? We know CJ isn't concerned for their safety, or he would have alerted parents to the possibility of exposure to a pedophile.
4. Is there no place else? Maybe 20th and Connecticut? There's no construction there.
5. How does this not crowd the school? Will more parking be created, or will our kids have to move over.
6. Don't exploit our children to build your sets, calling free labor and time away from class an "opportunity." They're out of their classes enough as it is.
It seems like the public ought to get some say in this. Joplin might be starving for culture, but it doesn't have to be on school grounds. Down the road is close enough.
Mrs. Beshore,
Your wealth and husband's position have gotten you what you want many times. However, it seems to me that if you want this, that you could pay for it and put it in your backyard.
Thank you.
How about Spiva? I agree--MSSU is the better place. But CJ won't get to give a sobbing speech there at the ribbon cutting.
The Board voted unanimously? Really? I'm stunned. Just stunned. The 7-0 Club lives on.
The Coke building is available. Wallace and Bajalli would be very grateful if you would take that albatross away.
Connect2Culture is just "2Cute". Please stay away from my children's school. There's enough chaos in R8 without Joplin's rich and idle showing up and making demands all the time. Put it at the college. That's what colleges need. The kids can go visit there, if they wish, and focus on ACADEMICS at school. That's a radical concept for R8, but hey, let's try it and see what happens.
Small Broadway shows will never be successful in Joplin. The only "shows" that are successful in this area are dried up comedians, lip syncing last string musicians, and cage fighting.
"a significant contribution to the lifeblood of the community." Such hyperbole. Joplin, despite CJ's assertions, is hardly a third world community. We were doing fine before CJ got here. Better, in fact, than we are now, so stop thinking you must be so grandiose for our benefit. It's really for your own--everyone wants his name on a plaque in one of the new buildings--benefactors in name for eternity.
Do you people realize that Joplin Little Theater has been using Irving Elementary for months on Sunday for performances? Using our utilities, our custodians and our equipment. Who is paying for all of that?? CJ ANY ANSWERS??
The concessions at most of these performances sell alcoholic beverages. How will the concessions be handled at these proposed future Joplin events? Who is going to pay for the venue manager? Maintenance and cleaning? Will the students have to play second fiddle to paying events? Many cities have saved and rehabilitated older theaters to provide great venues for plays, musicals, classic rock performers and other artists. Joplin missed the boat when they didn't take over the Fox Theatre in 1974. Why not do something with the Joplin Little Theater complex at Schifferdecker?
When I attented joplin high school 10 years ago there were outside groups who paid. Yes. Paid! To use the old auditorium for different events. Church functions. Concert etc... I was a student and involved in the performing arts. I was also a hard worker outside of school not from a rich family, I was paid $50 for a couple lhours of working manning the sound and lighting for the events. It was a great gig and I don't see what such a fuss is being made about the high school being available outside regular school hours for a fee. This has happened in the past. Nothing new here people.
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