$45M Arts Center Breaks Ground In Eau Claire

After four years of planning and a series of setbacks, supporters of Eau Claire’s $45-million Confluence Performing Arts Center have broken ground on the project.

The facility will have two theaters and classroom space to be shared by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the city’s two theater groups. In a half decade of planning, the Confluence faced organized opposition, referendum votes and a temporary loss of $15 million in state funding. For UW-Eau Claire assistant chancellor of facilities Mike Rindo, it’s a testament to the will of the city.

“Now that we’re to the place where we have plans and we’ve broken ground and we can begin construction soon, we know that it’s going forward and it’s really a testament to the collaboration and the fortitude of this community to see this project succeed,” said Rindo.

In the past two years, Eau Claire has seen an upswing in downtown development in anticipation of the performing arts space including the redevelopment of two landmark hotels in the city’s center. Local artist Mel Sundby said seeing the shovels turn capped off a hard fought battle for the Chippwa Valley arts community.

“It’s a great day, it really is. And, I know that two years from now, there’ll be another celebration and we’ll break the champagne or whatever it takes but it’s been a dream for a long time. So, being an artist, having been an art teacher, I couldn’t be happier,” Sundby said.

Construction on the Confluence Performing Arts Center is scheduled to begin this month and last into 2018.