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The Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center will reopen to the public on Saturday, Feb. 17, marking the completion of its $1.7 million renovation.
The renovation project began in 2022 and was done by Bomar Construction, Inc. of Ormond Beach. Funded in part by Volusia County ECHO dollars, the PAC now features a new lobby, a donor wall, improvements to the exterior, a new art installation, as well as new seating in the theater, thanks to a donation by local developer Paul Holub.
The building, which was built in 1982 and used to be a church, is almost unrecognizable, said Lucy Jackman, president of the Friends of the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center.
“For people just walking in, they’ll say, ‘Wow, how nice,’” Jackman said. “But if you’ve been in here before there is nothing — nothing — from the original building.”
PAC Supervisor Marc Schwartz said in a statement to the Observer that he is grateful for the support of the projectby the Friends of the OBPAC board of directors, the Leisure Services Advisory Board, the Ormond Beach City Commission, Volusia County Council and citizens.
“The excitement with the impending reopening continues to build, and tickets for the upcoming shows are selling at a brisk pace,” Schwartz said.
The first show at the PAC will feature Victor Wainwright and The Train. The 2019 Grammy nominee and blues artist will perform at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $50. The Florida Women’s Arts Association is showcasing the first exhibition at the PAC, titled “Epic Expressions,” to open Feb. 17 as well.
So far, there are 11 events lined up at the PAC, with more to come, Jackman said. The PAC’s concession is also offering something show attendees have been seeking for a long time — beer and wine. Food will also be offered.
Jackman said she’s been pushing for the renovation of the building for seven years. After the first three years, she realized many factors would need to be in place for the renovation to be successful — and, that it would be a long haul.
“I know you know the saying it takes a village,” Jackman said. “I think this project is one of the best examples of that adage, because umpteenth people have been involved.”
The Friends are conducting two fundraising campaigns: Name a Seat and Engrave a Brick. To learn more, visit thefriendsobpac.org.
After two bills were filed in the Florida House and Senate aimed at benefitting fuel and energy facilities, Belvedere Terminals’ chief operating officer issued a statement on Friday, Jan. 19, saying the bills are not related to their pursuit to build a fuel farm near the city of Ormond Beach.
SB 1624 and SB 1628 respectively seek to prohibit local governments from amending land development regulations that would conflict with a facility’s classification, and “require local governments to seek to minimize or eliminate” potential negative impacts of their actions.
After a post on social media alleged Belvedere was tied to the bills through GrayRobinson, the law firm it hired in its lawsuit against Volusia County, COO Mike Benedetto said this was false.
“It is very important to know that Belvedere in no way had anything to do with crafting this legislation — nor had any prior knowledge about them — contrary to what the activist claims,” he said. “We have no further comment on the bills at this time, since we have just began reviewing them.”
The city’s 2024 Roadway Resurfacing Project will repave 23 roads.
Estimated to cost $736,943, the Ormond Beach City Commission approved the project on Tuesday, Jan. 23, via its meeting’s consent agenda. The city has dedicated funds via tax dollars for the resurfacing of city roads since 1997.
The roads that will be resurfaced in this year’s project are:
Three roads could be added as alternates: Sawtooth Lane, Southern Pine Trail and Highland Oaks Trail.