Town Breaks Ground at New Community Arts Center

Story by Hal Goodtree | January 24, 2010 | Tags: arts, Community, dance, music, theater

Cary, NC – The day was sunny and mild for January. A nice sized crowd had gathered in the shadow of the Old Cary Elementary School to witness the birth of a new Community Arts Center.

A small band warmed up the crowd – just a guitar and bass fiddle, but they plucked a nice tune for the warm winter afternoon.

Town officials said a few brief words. The old school seemed to gaze down on the crowd. People and organizations who had helped on the project were mentioned. A little history was told – how Frank Page started the school and how the current Mayor attended during elementary school.

Finally, it was time for the ceremony. A special sandpit had been dug for the official ground-breaking. This reporter missed the magic moment and would like to thank town officials for putting the hats back on and letting me get a shot.

L->R David Lindquist, Don Frantz, Harold Weinbrecht, Jack Smith, Denny Hoadley

Afterward, the crowd wandered through the first floor of the old building. Part of the back wall was already gone to make way for the new performance stage and theater. Old pictures and a few remnants of classes gone by decorated the worn walls.

The crowd slowly dissolved back into the winter afternoon, leaving the old building empty again. But soon it will be spring, and a new Community Arts Center will bring life and light back to this Cary landmark.

Photos by Hal Goodtree.