Richland County Performing Arts Council (RCPAC) recently hosted an official ribbon cutting of the new Elevator Accessibility Addition on Saturday Oct 15. Attending were key county and city officials as well as officials from the Richland Economic Development board and the members of the Richland County Performing Arts Council board and interested donors. 

In his opening remarks, Norbert Calnin recalled some of the history of the project becoming a reality and shared the next steps that the RCPAC has identified in the ongoing building renovation. Calnin also thanked the donors who made the matching grant work. Richland Economic Development Director Jasen Glasbrenner talked about the process in choosing the project as one of two projects funded with the grant funds. He also spoke about the impact on the local economic impact as well as anchoring downtown developments. The architect for the project Peter Rott of Isthmus Architecture shared the importance of the project relating to the historical significance and echoed the spark for downtown revitalization. Richland Center Mayor Todd Coppernoll spoke about the future while understanding the history of the building. He emphasized that the future of what can and will happen is significant.

Following an official Ribbon Cutting County Board Chair Marty Brewer spoke and said this is a positive step for the county in seeing this project complete and hailed Economic Director Jasen Glasbrenner as the key to identifying and making the project happen. 

Light refreshments and tours and rides on the new elevator were enjoyed by those attending.

Following the event, the official reopening concert was held with local band The Tradesmen opening and Chris Kroeze from NBC’s Voice.