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Flexibility, Accessibility, Efficiency.

 

TRYON-Onlookers might have noticed that there has been a large amount of construction going on at Melrose Avenue. The Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) has been undergoing a renovation since September. 

 

Many have wondered what is going to come from the new addition that seems to be a rather large project. 

 

TFAC is celebrating fifty years of service to the foothills this year. The current building is the original building that TFAC has always been in and other than minor cosmetic changes, no large renovations have ever been done to the fifty-year-old building. The center has seen a jump in numbers since originally opening from seeing 8,000 people a year to now experiencing 18,000 people a year.

 

Tim Brannon, the chair for the capital campaign for TFAC shared that they as a board knew some changes needed to be done over fifteen years ago, with all of the programs that were using the fine arts center there was simply not enough room in the current space. 

 

 Marianne Carruth, Executive Director for TFAC said, “I have seen so many building plans since I began working here.” The renovation process has not been a small task and has not been taken lightly. 

 

Brannon shared that as they began planning for the current construction to happen, the board sat down and brainstormed the needs that TFAC is desperate for. 

 

Brannon shared three words: flexibility, accessibility and efficiency. These are the needs for TFAC.  

 

The new addition that is planned to be complete in April will be a new two story high, glass window room. This room will serve as a multi-purpose room with the most gorgeous view of the mountains.  The plan behind this new addition was that as of now there is not really a space for smaller events to take place. 

 

The current auditorium holds 315 people and if there is an event that is hosting around a hundred people, those in attendance get lost in that massive room, said Carruth. It does not create a cohesive event. And the current boardroom is simply too small. Brannon shared the current boardroom serves as a meeting place for the lecture series and there is an ongoing wait list of people wanting to get in on the event but the current room only hold 35 people. 

 

The addition will be able to host 100-150 people and will be used for all types of events. 

 

The new addition will be complete with lighting, sound system and a stage. 

 

Brannon also shared that the new addition will be at ground level so that, accessibility around the center will become easier. Currently, the only way to get to the bottom floor is by stairs. Downstairs in the fine arts center serves a lecture hall that stays booked and the past art gallery. If someone has special needs and isn’t able to get down the stairs there is no way for them to get to those events. 

 

The new addition is built at ground level so event goers are able to use the ramp outside of the amphitheater. 

 

The third word Brannon used when explaining this construction process was efficiency. As of now more than ten programs are using the fine arts center which is great. However, the board members and directors have run into an issue where there is not enough storage to hold all that they need for plays and special series. 

 

To help with that need, there will be a storage room built on top of the new room. The new storage room will be main stage level so that all of the equipment that needs to be stored will be able to go right off of the stage and into the room right behind it. 

 

Carruth shared that this storage room will do wonders for everyone involved with TFAC. 

 

Carruth mentioned “We as the Tryon Fine Arts Center aim to find residence with everyone in the community.  I want the community coming here, and schools coming here.” Doing these renovations will have everyone coming and being a part of TFAC.

 

There are future plans for more construction and additions to be added in the future following through with Brannon’s three words. As of now there are no tentative dates on the other additions to come. 

By Carson Parnell