The chances that a proposed expansion of the Springville Museum of Art will be completed before the end of Utah's centennial year are dwindling.
However, a fund-raiser for the project is remaining optimistic that at least some of the project could be constructed to help celebrate Utah's 100th birthday in 1996.A total of $3 million is needed to complete the project, titled the Centennial Wing, in honor of Utah's centennial. The project plan includes a new wing to be built on the southeast corner of the museum as well as a new climate control system in the existing museum building at 126 E. 400 South.
So far, the museum has 38 percent of the needed funds either committed or in hand, said E. Fritz Boyer, the museum's director of development.
"The sign out there says we want to have it done in 1996," Boyer said. "I think I'll leave the sign there until 1996 is over."
Boyer plans to discuss the project with those attending the museum's Art Ball, planned this year on April 8 with the theme "Spring Fling for the New Wing." Proceeds from the ball will be added to the new wing fund. The event will also formally open the museum's 71st Utah Spring Salon exhibit.
He hopes this will increase public awareness of the project, which will almost double the amount of square footage available to the public at the museum.
The museum was built in 1937 and an additional wing was added to the west of the structure in 1964. About 130,000 people visit the museum each year; 40,000 of them are students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The planned new wing would extend from the southeast corner of the museum west along the museum's south side.
The funds now available for the project have come from various governmental levels, corporations and foundations. Boyer said he will eventually approach members of the community who could possibly make smaller donations. He is also considering soliciting in-kind donations of construction materials.
"I won't even propose that we stick a shovel in the ground . . . until we have half the money" and can see clearly where the remaining needed funds will be coming from, Boyer said.
Drawings of the planned three-level wing show more than 12,000 square feet of new public space. Boyer said the existing building has about 14,000 square feet of public space. Several new galleries would be created, including a children's gallery, a new works on paper gallery and a gallery that will become the largest in the museum.
Also planned is a new auditorium, kitchen and space for use by museum volunteers. The museum's existing outdoor court will be covered and used as a reception court.
"There is no intent to enlarge the museum solely for more exhibition space," Boyer said. "The reason we want to enlarge the museum is for programs that will impact people."
Museum Director Vern Swanson said the new climate control system would help the museum become accredited as well as protect the cultural heritage of Utah. "We're one of the largest non-accredited art museums in the world and most of it falls upon our lack of a credible climate control system," he said. This hinders the museum's ability to obtain certain grants.
Excavation work has been done underneath the existing museum, with a large hole in the ground now existing where the new wing would be built. Although he doesn't know now when ground will be broken for the new wing, Boyer said a contractor has indicated that if the project were started this fall, it could be completed by July of 1996.
Even if the entire project isn't completed in 1996, the new wing could be constructed a phase at a time, Boyer said. "Possibly through phasing we can have some sort of structure out there to celebrate the centennial."
Boyer emphasized that the museum is a state asset, not just a city asset.
"I would think everyone in this community would want to do some-thing to make it happen," he said.