WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Earlier this week, West Valley City announced the West Valley Performing Arts Center will close at the end of the 2024 season. This decision has been met with powerful reactions from the community, many coming together to rally that the building be saved.

“This decision comes after careful consideration and evaluation of the center’s structural integrity and huge costs associated with the repair of the facility,” the city said in a press release.

The city said that despite their best efforts to navigate fundraising and marketing challenges, the changing landscape of the performing arts industry and the facility’s aging infrastructure “have made gathering funds for necessary renovations insurmountable.”

“The closure of the West Valley Performing Arts Center is a deeply regrettable but a necessary step to ensure the long-term stability of West Valley Arts and its continued service to the community,” the release states.

The press release continues to say that although the doors of the center may close, the city hopes that West Valley Arts programs can continue at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

Community response

A Facebook group dedicated to saving the West Valley Performing Arts Center was created Monday when the announcement was made. Already, it’s garnered more than 2,000 members.

At a city council meeting Tuesday night, members of the West Valley City community, performers and patrons of the center spoke about why they want the theater to be saved, and how much it has meant to them.

John Sweeney, a director and producer who works with West Valley Arts productions, began his comments by congratulating West Valley Arts on winning Best of State for semi-professional theater in Utah for the second year in a row.

He said since the moment he stepped into the theater, his life changed forever.

“When I walked into that building and saw how beautiful it was, I knew that other cities around the country would want something like that, and that’s what West Valley has done,” he said.

He and other commenters suggested the city partner with the theater community to raise money to keep the center open.

“The West Valley Performing Arts Center draws in patrons from all over the state right into the heart of West Valley City to experience high-quality theatrical productions. The West Valley Performing Art Center is the heart of this community. We feel very proud of that,” said one West Valley City resident.

In the meeting, city manager Ifo Pili said the closure of the art center was a recommendation from him, saying that it’s “bleeding money” from the general fund. He said there are structural issues that could cost $7.6 million to repair.

“I’m all ears too. I’m open to suggestions … If there’s a group out there that can do this, it’s probably this group,” he said.

A petition was made on Change.org to go toward saving the theater.

“This decision impacts the residents of West Valley City, theatre patrons and artists in Utah including actors, technicians, set designers, intimacy coordinators, musicians, and directors that have been uplifted and enriched by the presence of West Valley Performing Arts Center, a theatre that is committed to diverse and inclusive casting and increasing accessibility to live theatre,” the petition said.