Performing Arts Center Opening Delayed

BARSTOW • College leaders have again pushed back the date that the new performing arts center is expected to open, with latest projections now set at January 2013.

The opening of the long-anticipated PAC was originally slated for April 2012, but has been pushed back several times since Barstow Community College broke ground on the project in October 2010.

College spokesperson Maureen Stokes pointed to the contractor managing the project, ASR Constructors, for specifics on why they were not able to meet earlier deadlines.

Attempts to reach the Barstow PAC’s project manager were unsuccessful, as he was out of the office.

Stokes said for now the project is expected to be completed by Jan. 31.

The $24.5 million facility was approved by the California Community Colleges chancellor’s office in 2006. 

When construction is complete, the performing arts center will be a two-story, 39,898-square-foot building. The building’s construction will include 227,514 square feet of parking and other campus upgrades.

Its main theater will seat 755 people. The building will also have a black box theater that will seat 153 people. The building will include music rooms and a dance studio.

Officials blamed earlier delays on shortages in state funding and weather.

In the meantime, college performers are using the college’s interim performing arts center, which seats 70.