The Val A. Browning Foundation in Ogden has pledged $1 million for renovation of Weber State University's Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts in hopes of encouraging area residents to pledge their support as well.
The Utah Legislature appropriated $17.5 million for the center during its last session, but the appropriation obligates WSU to solicit $2 million in the form of private donations. Construction is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 1997.The Val. A. Browning Foundation has stipulated that its money be matched one-for-one by other private donors or the grant will be returned. "For three decades, the Val A. Browning Center has been a cultural center for northern Utah. We encourage the community to become involved and participate in helping us raise the final funds for the center," said WSU President Paul H. Thompson.
Constructed in 1964, the Browning Center was built to serve 4,500 students. WSU now has 14,000 students attending. "The challenge is finding academic, teaching space," Thompson said.
The center also houses more than 600 events each year attended by more than 120,000 patrons and used by more than 37,000 participants.
Renovations to the center include modifications to meet all life and fire-safety codes, structural reinforcement to meet seismic-safety guidelines and accessibility improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Replacement space, which compensates for the space lost to cost upgrades, will include a rehearsal hall, lobby, choral room and elementary art room.
"This performing arts center was very important to Mr. Browning," Thompson said. "He would be happy to know his foundation is carrying on his legacy. The center is a lasting symbol of his foresight and leadership. WSU students as well as thousands of northern Utahns will benefit from his generosity and commitment to the arts."