Oak View Group (OVG), owner and operator of the 11,000-capacity Acrisure Arena near Palm Springs, California, has entered into a partnership agreement to manage, program and seek new sponsorship opportunities for the historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre. announced on Tuesday (February 13). Restoration work on the theater will begin in March 2024 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
“This agreement between the City, the Palm Springs Plaza Theater Foundation and the Oak View Group is a financial game changer,” he said. Scott Stiles, Palm Springs city manager, in a statement. “The restoration of the historic Plaza Theater is a major milestone in the Downtown Revitalization Plan and will bring the world's best artists and culture to our revitalized downtown.”
John Bolton, senior vice president of Oak View Group, added, “All of us at Oak View Group are excited to partner with the Plaza Theater Foundation and its dedicated Board of Directors team. We look forward to bringing the full scope and breadth of OVG to the table to make this City of Palm Springs asset shine and become a tremendous community and cultural asset in downtown Palm Springs.”
Last year, OVG pledged to donate $1 million to help fund the restoration of the Plaza Theater and agreed to waive all management fees, he said. Kevin J. Corcoranvice president of the Plaza Theater Foundation, adding, “We were impressed with the launch of Acrisure Arena and the programming, sponsorship and management expertise they brought to its very successful first year.”
The agreement gives the city of Palm Springs a total of 21 days per year to offer public programming at the discretion of the city council. This programming will include the annual state of the city management, cultural and civic programs and more.
“The Oak View Group is internationally admired for managing major sports, convention, arts and entertainment venues,” said the president of the Palm Springs Plaza Theater Foundation. JR Roberts. “We are pleased to have this strong community partner further commit to working with us to provide the expertise this theater needs to be a successful economic force in Palm Springs. We are especially excited to be working with Palm Springs resident and Oak View Group Senior Vice President John Bolton on this exciting partnership. We are delighted that John has agreed to join our hard-working board.”
Content ideas for theater include concerts, chamber orchestra performances, film festivals, community meetings, conferences, cabaret shows, lectures, music festivals, idea festivals, children's programming, charity and fundraising events and other theatrical performances and events. OVG will seek corporate sponsorship to further support the Theatre.
The Palm Springs Plaza Theater Foundation continues to raise funds to fully restore the venue, having raised $16 million of the $26 million goal to cover construction costs and contingencies along with start-up costs. The funds will help restore the building to its original condition and update it to meet access, technology and equity needs. There are many naming opportunities still available, including a special $10 million donor theater naming option.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/business/touring/oak-view-group-manage-palms-spring-plaza-theatre-1235607041/
