Nowhere in Federal Way is a theatre large enough in which the many local performing arts groups can perform, nor where conventions or business organizations can hold a large meeting, seminar, or special event. Major touring cultural or educational groups cannot stop here because the only available facility large enough is a school cafeteria with a stage that seats 400...on folding chairs. The beautiful Knutzen Family Theatre, unfortunately, only seats 234. Considerably smaller cities around Federal Way all have auditoriums that seat 800 to 1100, which all-too-often host sold-out performances of Federal Way-based talent and groups.

Update: June, 2009

The months are racing by, and we haven’t updated information on the Federal Way performing arts and conference center project for a while. BULLETIN: We’re moving ahead! Sometimes it seems by inches, but it’s still forward progress. After 20 years of working toward this, we’re experiencing more activity than ever, and it looks like it might actually happen in our lifetime!

First, we were extremely fortunate to receive funding from the state in these dismal economic times. We had received $500,000 last year for “pre-construction costs”, which can include architectural fees, site preparation, etc. At this year’s legislative session we were awarded $5 million toward actual construction, plus the Federal Way Coalition of the Performing Arts, through the Building for the Arts program, received $325,000. Many thanks go to our legislators, Sen. Tracey Eide, Reps. Mark Miloscia and Skip Priest. Also thanks to those who made the trip to Olympia more than once to tell our story. It is so unusual for a city of this size to not have an actual performance hall in its schools, some thought we were exaggerating! Nope, it’s a fact. Multi-use, flat floor rooms with a stage, yes. But no state of the art facility that could also serve the community needs.

The addition of conference center space and some meeting rooms to the plan will offer far more potential uses for the facility.

What is happening right now? Webb Consultants, who will be developing a Business Plan, will be in Federal Way to interview representatives from the eight local performance groups, as well as some from outside the city who have expressed an interest in presenting their seasons here. All of them have voiced frustration at trying to schedule their events at any current venues. Seems those in other cities, that are school district owned and operated have few dates available. Auburn PAC, the largest at 1100 seats, has to turn down many requests, and is delighted we are pursuing this facility. We are proposing 700 seats for ours. The main floor would have 500, with a balcony of 200.

During recent months, the city has identified five potential sites near or within the downtown core which they are studying, and working with LMN Architects to create initial sketches, or footprints of how the PACC would fit on each. After they have finished, they will present their findings to the Council, and a site will be selected. Next step would be the process of selecting an architectural firm to design it. We are assuming the total design would take several months, so all considered, we are probably looking at a year from now before we are ready for the next step. We are further hoping the economy will be on the upswing, and a fundraising campaign can begin. We can’t really sell the idea until we know in some detail what it is and where it’s going to be! However, we can be developing a theme and strategy, so we’re ready to “launch” immediately.