Supporters of the Center and the SeaFirst Performing Arts Center Receive a $300,000 Gift from Bill and Melinda Gates

WENATCHEE, Wash. -- The Supporters of the Center, Inc. today announced a $300,000 gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the fundraising campaign for the final construction phase of the SeaFirst Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee, Wash.

"The gift from Bill and Melinda Gates is just what the Supporters of the Center needed to energize the community for the final-construction fundraising campaign," said Susan Droz, executive director for the Supporters of the Center, Inc. "It's gratifying to know that Bill and Melinda Gates recognize that the SeaFirst Performing Arts Center will have a positive, dramatic impact on our community attracting economic and civic events that were previously unattainable."

The construction costs for the 503-seat center are estimated at $7 million. "Even with the generous contribution from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the SeaFirst Performing Arts Center is still about $1 million short of the money needed to build a theatre with all of the frills," said board president Bart Clennon. "We're hoping to close this gap during our fall fundraising campaign, which is scheduled to begin at the end of September."

For further information about The Supporters of the Center, Inc., contact Susan Droz and (509) 665-9096.