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ARCHITECTS rendering of Cerritos College’s Performing Arts Center.
BY TAMMYE MCDUFF
It was a full house as the Cerritos Board of Trustees celebrated the new Performing Arts Center, with a ground breaking ceremony March 6, 2019.
The $80-million project is funded by Measure G Bond dollars is located in the center of the campus immediately south of Falcon Square. The 70,000-gross-square-foot facility will replace the College’s aging Burnight Theatre.
“Because of the support from the community, we are able to move forward and transform Cerritos College into the 21st Century with new buildings and technological upgrades,” said Marisa Perez, Board Vice President.
The Center will provide an instructional space for student artists and entertainment professionals.
“In dedicating this ground for the New Performing Arts Center, we re-emphasize our commitment ensuring that Cerritos College will provide students with a quality education and facilities that will meet the diverse demand of our work force,” added Perez.
The Center will provide a 400 seat, state of the art theatre, a smaller black box performance area, and support spaces. The building will also house the Music Department’s instructional labs, lecture halls, band rooms, practice rooms, and faculty offices.
A last minute donation from former dean Dr. Connie Mayfield included $500,000 for the purchase of grand pianos for the new facility, bringing total donations to $3.3 million.
Construction is expected to be completed in September 2021.
