Despite COVID, Fayetteville Community Center/Theater Project Progressing

A small group of Fayetteville citizens, organized as the nonprofit Fayetteville Community Center Group (FCCG), have made real progress toward their goal of converting the iconic E.J. Knesek Building on the town’s Historic Square into a truly great asset for the area.

“Today we are happy to release to the public the plans for the Fayetteville Community Center & Performance Theater,” announced Joan Herring and Anne Mitchell, who are spearheading the fundraising efforts for the group. “We are very excited with the progress we have made, and we are now reaching out to the community to be a part of this wonderful project.”

The architectural firm of Heimsath Architects in Austin, along with their engineering partners, have developed the space planning for the site. Although constant adjustments are being made to accommodate the structural and utility needs of this unique multi-use community center and theater, the fundamental design is set.

A unique project

“This is a challenging project,” states Board member John Dennis, who is managing the architectural/engineering process. “We are working with a historic structure, the requirements of a performance theater, and the need to watch every penny. We will end up with a facility everyone will be proud of, but it won’t be without blood, sweat and tears.”

The Board has been active in the design process, having made site visits to various Texas theater locations and welcomed professional input from as far away as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, a theater designer in Maryland, and a small civic center in Maine. The project design has many unique features. Starting at the front of the building (which was originally built as two individual buildings), an effort is being made to reinstate the balcony that was originally part of the Buck Horn Saloon. There are photographs of spectators in the early 1900s standing on the balcony watching a parade in the street below.

“We have designed a balcony that is faithful to the original design, that will extend the entire width of the original two buildings,” states architect Ben Heimsath. “This feature alone will enhance the town’s Historic Square and make the building a local attraction and a destination venue again.”

The theater design

The most significant addition to the City of Fayetteville and the surrounding communities will be the creation of a theater designed for live performance, with all the requirements needed for a first-class experience for the audience, as well as for the actors and stagehands.

“We looked at other theaters, some bigger than what we are planning, some smaller,” says Board member Martha Dennis, “And what we came away with was a desire for a comfortable experience for the audience, and a professional experience for the actors and crew. Good sound, good sightlines, good leg room, good backstage facilities, etc. We settled on a banked seating arrangement for an audience of 150 people. We think this will create an intimate setting that will enhance any stage performance, whether dramatic or musical, as well as be a terrific showcase for presentations or video screenings.” The theater has been designed to ADA standards and will be a welcomed facility for the county’s senior population.

Public spaces

Another unique part of this project are the spaces available for the public to use on a regular basis, including:

The Grand Room off the street entrance will serve as the theater lobby when performances are held. The space will easily accommodate the theater goers as they wait for the doors to open or enjoy a refreshment from the bar at intermission. This same space can be used for sit-down banquets of up to 150 people, with catering from the in-house catering kitchen. This Grand Room will hold receptions, dinners, presentations, and displays. Ample restrooms are attached to this room, with additional restrooms on the second floor. The catering kitchen was designed with professional input and will be a vital asset in bringing groups into the building.

The Community Room is also located just off the street at the front of the building and will be a meeting place and resource for the citizens of Fayetteville, young and not so young. This room will also serve as an information point for tourists.

An elevator and a staircase will be available to take people to the second floor, where the building’s largest public room as well as a conference room and the staff offices are located.

The Grand Community Room (2,600 sq ft) is a large, flexible open space available for public use. Once the site of the Buck Horn Saloon Dance Hall, the space will once again be enjoyed by the area’s citizens, non-profits, businesses and small interest groups. Activities from exercise to meditation, children’s classes to senior programs are envisioned taking place here. There has already been interest from different groups wanting to host yoga, dance and wellness classes. After decades, people may once again dance in this space.

The Conference Room will feature a conference table that seats 10, and a spectacular treetop view out over the town’s Square. This room will also be available for public use by reservation.

Since the FCCG announcement of the purchase of the building and property in April 2019, the public has shown a great deal of interest in the project. The group went through an extended process of meeting with leaders of the various local non-profits and church organizations to get input on how the building could be best used. The public’s suggestions have been helpful in the architectural design process and were instrumental in the final space plan.

“We are very excited to see the revitalization of the grand old building that is located right next door to us,” said Shirley Sodek, executive vice president of Fayetteville Bank. “Improving Fayetteville is a big plus. We are an older community and still thriving while some other small towns have turned into ghost towns and that’s not good. Anything that improves our buildings and brings more culture to our small town is very welcomed.”

Inviting support

The Board of the Fayetteville Community Center & Performance Theater is actively fundraising to complete the project and is reaching out to the public for support.

“We are talking with foundations, of course,” states Board member Fred Roberts, “but we know most of our support will come from our friends and neighbors. This is a project that will enhance the lives of everyone in the area, and we know that people are going to want to be a part of this.”

To get more information, make a donation or to volunteer, go to www.FayettevilleCommunityCenterorg.