Clark State to Construct Performing Arts and Conference Center in Springfield SPRINGFIELD, OH (WYSO) - Clark State Community College has announced plans for a multi-purpose facility in downtown Springfield. The Creative Arts and Conference Center will be constructed on Limestone Street in the heart of downtown Springfield. The approximately 25,000 square foot building will consist of two wings that will also connect to the current Clark State Performing Arts Center.

Clark State President Dr. Karen Rafinski says that the facility is designed to meet the arts, education and business needs of the Springfield community.

"One half of it will be a two story additional classrooms in the arts and new media. On the other half of the build would be the only downtown site that will seat 500 people at round tables. And so it's a small conference center," says Rafinski.

There will be room in the Grand Hall for conferences and intimate perfomances along with permanant office and classroom space for Project Jericho, Springfield's arts outreach program. Rafinski says that the center will allow Clark State to expand it's arts education curriculum.

But students aren't the only ones looking to benefit. The Springfield Chamber of Commerce hopes that the center's large conference capacity will make the city a destination for outside groups.

Chamber President Mike McDormet explains, "It helps Springfield by bringing new opportunites for conventions, receptions and association-type meetings to our community whereas today it's very difficult to do that."

The center will be funded in part by a challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. Clark State is only the sixth community college in the country to receive a Kresge grant. Construction is set to begin in June of 2010. © Copyright 2009, WYSO