Supporters of the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center heard another sweet note today when the UT System Board of Regents approved an additional $3.5 million in Permanent University Funds (PUF) for the facility.

This brings the total support from PUF to $6.5 million. The new funds will be used for construction costs. “This was tremendous news for UTPB,” President David Watts said from the regents meeting in Austin. “This will allow us to put some of our donated funds, previously earmarked for construction, toward our endowment fund.”
Officials said design work has already started on the facility.

Construction is expected to begin around January 2009 with occupancy
expected by mid-year 2011.

In other news, Regents also authorized UTPB to accept a $2 million gift from the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust for naming rights for the performing arts center’s multiuse recital hall. The recital hall will be well-appointed, with a flat-floor. Capable of accommodating individual, small group or ensemble performances, the same space will be designed to host lectures, receptions and seated meal functions for up to 200. A separate caterer staging area will adjoin the recital hall and also provide service to other areas of the facility. In what is expected to be the most-frequently used space in the center, the multi-use recital hall will offer high-quality upholstered retractable seating that also allows the greatest event flexibility by eliminating the need for permanent or temporary stage sets.  Enhanced acoustical, lighting and sound technologies will be employed to ensure maximum audience enjoyment. The recital hall will be capable of hosting events simultaneously with performances in progress in the main theater.