Proposed Hyannis Performing Arts Center Receives $200K through Economic Development Bill

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Jerome Karter, executive director of the Oceanside Performing Arts Center

HYANNIS – An economic development bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature this week includes funding for the proposed Oceanside Performing Arts Center in Hyannis.

The non-profit organization supported by State Representatives Will Crocker (R-Centerville) and Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown), along with State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) will receive $200,000 through the legislation.

Oceanside Performing Arts Center Executive Director Jerome Karter says the project received state-level support because it will be an economic driver for the region.

“It’ll be great for tourism and hospitality, and provide year round employment,” Karter said. “And of course it will be a new venue for clocal artists and arts organizations.”

The center would provide a new home for the Cape Symphony Orchestra and other artists, along with being a community gathering place.

The board for the non-profit has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the Finch Group Hotel and Resort, Inc. for a 40-acre parcel of land near the West End Rotary. The land is currently the Twin Brooks Golf Course.

Karter said they recently selected the architect firm, Cambridge-based Epstein Joslin Architects, Inc., to design the facility.

“They are world renowned and they have done many, many great and outstanding projects,” Karter said. “We are at the stage now where we are about to sign a contract with them for what we call phase one.”

Phase one of the project will be conducted over the next six months to develop the overall scope of the project and reach out to the community to share plans being discussed.

The $200,000 secured through the economic development bill will be used for initial design and engineering work.

“One of the things that this money will now allow us to do is to do several of the studies which are very important – such as the traffic study, economic impact study and the environmental studies – to assure that we are going to be doing the right thing,” Karter said.

Karter said the target date for possible completion of the center would be sometime in 2023.