Another major public facility will migrate from Fayetteville to more northern reaches of Northwest Arkansas, closer to the fortunes that support the arts ventures.
The Fayetteville Flyer reports:
The Arkansas Music Pavilion’s 2013 season will be its last in Fayetteville.
Members of the Walton Arts Center’s board of directors voted Tuesday to move the outdoor music venue to undeveloped land across Interstate 540 from Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers, ending the the AMP’s nine-year run of concerts in its hometown.
Land from trucking magnate Johnelle Hunt and significant contributions from several sources drove the decision. The Walton Arts Center itself had earlier decided to move its main performing arts venue from Fayetteville to Bentonville.
[Walton Arts Center Director Peter] Lane said 91 percent of the estimated $11 million needed to build the new concert venue is already accounted for and includes a $1.5 million gift from the Walker Foundation; a $2.5 million gift from an anonymous donor; a $3 million interest-free loan plus donated land from Johnelle Hunt; a $500,000 pledge from the city of Rogers; and about $1.5 million in pending gifts, naming rights donations and expected sales of box seats. Cash reserves and a $1.5 million loan from Arvest Bank would round out the funding for the new venue.
UPDATE: More info on the jump.