Construction begins on new performance/education
venue located in Milwaukee's Historic Granville community.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
February 28, 2003 Eric Truesdale, 414-276-6237
Alexian Brothers Pavilion Created Through Alexian Village and MATC
Partnership
MILWAUKEE – Alexian Village today announced that construction
has begun on a new performance and education venue located within
Historic Granville on the City’s far northwest side. Plans
for the new auditorium include seating for more than 1,000 and a
24’ x 60’ stage that will be used for high-profile speakers,
music and live theater performances and local community meetings.
Design plans for the facility also include four meeting/classrooms,
one of which will be equipped as a computer lab, as well as four
offices, a cafeteria/break room and a kitchen.
The facility, to be known as the Alexian Brothers Pavilion, is currently
being constructed through a partnership between the non-profit Alexian
Village and the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Through
the partnership, MATC students will renovate the building located
at 9225 N. 76th Street, the former location of the Heilig-Meyer
furniture store, which has sat vacant for the past three years.
“This is just the type of project that we’re seeing
more of in Historic Granville, and we’re proud to lead the
charge,” said Gary Mohn, CEO of Alexian Village. “At
Alexian Village, we’re excited to be able to find ways to
take an older building and help transform it into a new and useful
resource for the community and expand the ministry of the Alexian
Brothers. This is going to be a great venue for high-profile speakers,
community meetings, educational opportunities and all types of performances.
Our area needs a facility that can promote these activities, and
we think the Alexian Brothers Pavilion will fulfill that need.”
Mohn said the facility has already been in contact with performance
groups who may book appearances at the new Pavilion. Among the first
performances to take place at the Pavilion will be the Trinity Dancers.
A date for that performance has not yet been set.
Alexian Village is one of the state’s top-rated Retirement
Communities, offering independent living, skilled nursing care,
assisted living and various community services. The Alexian Village
campus, located across from the Pavilion on 76th Street, covers
62 acres and serves as the home for more than 600 residents.
In addition to major interior renovations, the exterior of the venue
will also receive significant changes, including the addition of
a front entrance awning and an electronic marquee sign, which will
display the current time, temperature and the names and dates of
upcoming performances, speakers and/or meetings. The project is
expected to be completed by late March.
-more-
“The entire Historic Granville area is seeing a resurgence
of energy and activity, as new developments like this one continue
to arise,” said Mayor John O. Norquist. “Organizations
like Alexian Village are making a commitment to this area and as
a result, we’re seeing an increased quality of life and a
revitalization of the City’s far northwest side. The Alexian
Brothers Pavilion is going to provide a valuable resource for the
people and businesses within Historic Granville, and because of
that, all of Milwaukee will benefit.”
Thirty MATC carpentry students are working on the renovations as
part of the school’s one-year carpentry program. Throughout
the program, the school’s carpentry students often work on
projects similar to the Alexian Pavilion with a variety of non-profit
groups in the community. During the renovation process, the students
will be framing the interior walls, hanging drywall and completing
the finishing trim work. Under the terms of the agreement, Alexian
Village will provide the materials for the work, as well as lunch
for the students each day.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain
practical, real-world experience on an important project,”
said Dave Turner, associate dean of MATC’s Division of Technology
and Applied Sciences. “We’re pleased to have the chance
to partner with Alexian Village in creating a new and useful resource
for the Historic Granville community. I know our students will benefit
from this experience, and the community will benefit from a quality,
well-built facility.”
The four classrooms at the facility will be used initially for courses
developed through the Alexian Institute, which offers life-long
learning designed specifically for older adults. Alexian Institute
courses include computers, Tai Chi, strength training, memory conditioning,
and fun with watercolors to name just a few. Courses through other
continuing education providers will likely also be offered in the
future. Most of the classes will be available for a nominal fee
or at no charge. Enrollment is open to anyone living in southeastern
Wisconsin.
“We know there is a growing interest among older adults to
take life-long learning courses on a variety of subjects, and that’s
a big part of why this resource is being built,” said Mohn.
“Adults of all ages are seeking opportunities to continue
their learning and stay active. The classrooms and other resources
at the Alexian Pavilion are going to help us provide adults in this
area with that opportunity.”
The Alexian Brothers Pavilion will also serve as the home office
of the Historic Granville Corporation, a community development organization
that was recently formed to leverage, coordinate and focus many
of the positive developments happening in Milwaukee’s far
northwest side community. Helping to facilitate the creation of
new and useful resources, like the Alexian Brothers Pavilion, has
been one objective of the Historic Granville Corporation and its
membership, which includes Alexian Village.
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