Fayetteville Community Center Project Gaining Momentum

A project that some didn’t take seriously has instead generated some serious momentum.

The effort to renovate the historic E.J. Knesek Building on the town square into Fayetteville’s new Community Center and Performance Theater held its second annual fundraising gala Feb. 25 at Windy Knoll near Round Top.

The event, which was co-chaired by Joan Herring and Wendy Burks, drew 300 people, and thanks in parts to some astounding auction bids, the event had a net income of $658,000. That’s even more than last year’s gala, which raised $510,000.

Jerry Herring, who is president of the board of director of the project said over $3 million has now been raised, and they’ve had over 500 individuals gifts to the project.

He said that many people doubted the seriousness of the project when it began several years ago, and amidst a fundraising lull during COVID, even he himself was worried.

But no more. Head of construction John Dennis announced to the crowd at the gala that construction has begun at the site on Phase I of the project which is the grand room and community room at the front of the building.

When complete funds are secured for Phase II, construction will begin on the 150-seat theater attached to the historic structure.

Among the highlights of this year’s gala were:

• A musical performance by SASS, a singing group from Houston

• A signed photograph of Lyle Lovett went for $160,000 in the auction, causing quite a stir among attendees, Herring said.

• A set of Bowie knives made in England and once given to Buffalo Bill Cody was auctioned off for $27,000. They were donated by Axe Antiques, which has a booth at The Compound in Round Top during the upcoming antiques weeks.

• A video was shown featuring several local and national leaders in the arts, expressing the case for a 150-seat multi-use performance theater on Fayetteville’s Square.