Federal Way (Wash.) Performing Arts and Event Center opened in September.
Federal Way (Wash.) Performing Arts and Event Center is a rare hybrid of theatrical space and meeting space. Opened in September 2017, the 44,000-square-foot, $32.7 million project is a successful example of how suburban communities are increasingly investing in creating multipurpose arts and community event facilities.
Getting the project off the ground took nearly 10 years, according to Executive Director Theresa Yvonne, who came on board in 2015.
On the PAC side, seating is 716. The 8,000-square-foot event space can hold up to 750 people. Funding was provided by the city and the state, with about $1 million coming from private donations.
The idea of building a hybrid venue came about after the city of about 100,000, situated between Seattle and Tacoma, looked at the cost of building two venues.
"Building a PAC would have taken $30 [million] to $40 million and building an event center would have taken $30 [million] to $40 million, which was prohibitive for a city of this size," Yvonne said. "We didn't need 1,500 seats in the theater and we didn't need meeting space for thousands of attendees. The hybrid facility accommodates both sides very well."
"The hybrid model also works well from a budgetary/operational standpoint because the event side will make money while, traditionally, PAC's don't often run in the black," she explained. "Combining the two helps balance the scales."
Wendy Pautz, design partner at LMN, who designed the facility, described the challenges of building a hybrid venue. "While the auditorium space was the focus, it was intended to accommodate a wide variety of community events," she said. "We were looking to create a space that would be flexible most of all."
"In the design, I looked at having the meeting space flank the performance space and also be divisible for multi-sizes of events," Pautz said. "The lobby was the key to making both spaces flow together."
The project is the second phase of a city enhancement project. Phase one was a renovation of Town Square Park, which is adjacent to the new venue. "With the venue having an overview of the park, and connecting to it, I also had to be aware of the flow from the park to the facility in the design," Pautz said.
Pautz is particularly proud of the wood screen design she created for the PAC interior. "I used a unique wood interior that utilizes a pattern of perforations that create a screen element that respond to the acoustical requirements of the space," she said. "The wood screening surrounds the auditorium and creates a great way to enter the auditorium as well."
The wood screen is suspended with a cable system. "Not only is the design economical, it also creates a very inviting, warm space," she said.
The building's glass exterior is also something Pautz thinks is part of the appeal of her design. "The venue not only looks over the park; it also looks over the downtown core. Being see-through all the way around at night, with all the lights on, the building becomes a beacon for the community and draws people toward it."
The PAC opened with a performance of the Beatles tribute show "Rain." There are six venue residents: the symphony, the youth symphony, Harmony Kings, Jet Cities Chorus, Tacoma City Ballet, and the Chorale. Future events will include Ten Tenors, Roseanne Cash, Elevenplay and Branford Marsalis. Ticket range is $19-$103.
The events center has already held business meetings, several banquets and a New Year's Eve dance. The event space can be divided into three spaces.
Federal Way PAEC also has a full kitchen, which Yvonne sees as a huge plus. "I don't care who the chef is. When you put food in a van and drive it down the road, it doesn't taste the same," she said. SMG's Savor is the concessionaire. There is a full bar, and food and beverage is available at all PAEC events. An app that allows guests to preorder is on the way.
"The great thing about having both a theater space and an event space is that we can have a dinner and then move into a show," she said. "You couldn't do that in a traditional PAC."
Yvonne was especially pleased with the progress the new facility made in December. "From Dec. 1 to Dec. 23 we either had an event or a performance and we worked a full 23 days straight," she said. "Including our biggest show so far: six performances of "The Nutcracker. We couldn't have been happier. It was a perfect way to close to the year. If December is a barometer of what's to come, we're going to be very busy."
Pautz said, "There was a strong vision and need for this project.
"Having a shared vision and pushing along in the same direction moved the project along smoothly and efficiently."