Kansas City Ballet’s location for the Todd Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity may well be determined by early fall 2005. That is the timeline anticipated by the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center leadership for a decision on whether or not the performing arts center will be built on the site of the Lyric Theater in the downtown loop. “There are huge opportunities in having the Bolender Center be a part of the performing arts campus regardless of the final location of the PAC,” said Jeffrey J. Bentley, Kansas City Ballet’s executive director. “One of our board’s guiding principals has been to ensure, as much as possible, the Ballet’s proximity to the arts center with all the promise that implies.” As soon as a decision is made by the PAC regarding the site, the Kansas City Ballet will be prepared to move forward with construction of the Bolender Center which has been delayed for nearly a year due to the question of location. Kansas City Ballet’s Director of Development Jennifer Wampler indicated that the Ballet’s capital campaign, while on hold for the past few months, will shift into high gear once the location becomes known. “We have had tremendous response from our donors during this period of uncertainty,” said Ms. Wampler. “No gifts have been rescinded and so many have indicated their complete faith that the ballet will soon have a wonderful new and permanent home.” Mr. Bentley indicated there are somewhat different considerations in having the Bolender building in the downtown loop as opposed to the 16th street site but that the program needs of the ballet (i.e. number and size of studios, support areas, and informal performing space for community use) will be as originally conceived. “What is most important for both the performing arts center and the Ballet’s home is that what happens inside these buildings be exciting and of the highest artistic standard,” stated Mr. Bentley. “Buildings by themselves do not justify their existence. It must always be about the betterment of the art form within them. That is our challenge and one this community will surely meet.”
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