McALLEN – The City of McAllen will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new McAllen Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the McAllen Convention Center’s Oval Park. The 1,800-seat McAllen Performing Arts Center will have the capacity to host a wide range of performances such as big production Broadway shows, concerts, dance recitals and symphonies.

The vision behind the $45 million Performing Arts Center is to create a dynamic venue that rivals any big city but will also meet the needs of the local community. The iconic facility will occupy the southeast side of the McAllen Convention Center grounds and is expected to open in the Fall of 2016. McAllen Mayor Jim Darling, City Commissioners, architects, builders and others will be on hand for the groundbreaking.

The City of McAllen is committed to enhancing the arts and cultural experience by delivering the most advanced performing arts center south of San Antonio by bringing a broader variety of entertainment that has been never been possible before in South Texas. In November, voters approved the issuance of $15 million in bonds for the arts center. The McAllen Performing Arts Center is being built across the street from the new 6-story, $20 million Embassy Suites hotel.  

WHO:               City of McAllen leaders, land developers and other officials

WHAT:             McAllen Performing Arts Center Ground Breaking

WHEN:             10 a.m. Thursday, July 24 2014

WHERE:           801 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen