Carlisle, Pa. (January 27, 2016) - Steve Riccio, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) board president, today announced unanimous board approval of a $1.25M project that will include building expansion consisting of four new rehearsal studios and other needed facility space to ensure the growth of the organization.
CEO Nicholas Ade stated the total construction project will result in 6,600 additional square feet of space for the school.
Ade explained that the school's internationally renowned 5-Week Summer Ballet Program in 2015 accommodated 534 students, which is the maximum the school is capable of handling in its current facility.
"We experienced a substantial waiting list of students who wanted to attend the 2015 program, but we were maxed out," said Ade.
Ade further stated that the new classroom facilities will allow for 684 students to attend the summer program, a 28 percent increase over 2015 enrollment.
CPYB's 5-Week Summer Ballet Program provides unparalleled technical training by world-class faculty for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Summer students experience a program completely focused on improving their technical skills and developing their confidence as a dancer. During the 2015 program, students representing 38 U.S. states and five countries made Carlisle their home for five weeks.
CPYB School Principal Alecia Good-Boresow expressed her delight over the expansion decision.
"Our year-round academic students will benefit from this expansion as the additional studios will allow for them to be taught in smaller class sizes, resulting in more individual attention," stated Good-Boresow.
Carlisle Mayor Tim Scott said, "When we reviewed CPYB's plan, we were thrilled to see the school's need to grow. The economic impact on Carlisle is significant, as well as the fact that CPYB is one more organization that puts Carlisle on both the national and international landscape."
The construction project is being funded, in part, by a $50,000 grant from the John Crain Kunkel Foundation with the balance being financed by Fulton Bank.
Joe Rilatt, Regional President of Fulton Bank, said, "Fulton Bank works hard to help grow the communities we serve. Organizations such as CPYB play an important role in helping fuel the Central Pennsylvania economy as they grow and expand. We are honored to be a part of this project that will have a positive impact on our local residents and children."
Architectural planning, construction and project management is being headed by R.S. Mowery & Sons. Ground breaking is expected to begin February 2016 with completion by early June 2016.
CPYB Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary stated, "I am so gratified to know our organization's board is focused on allowing as many students as possible to learn at CPYB and provide the best quality instruction for them."
Still active in the school for more than 60 years, Weary has empowered her organization's board to keep the values of the school the same as they were in 1955 while continuing to grow her dream.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: We invite the media to speak with members of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet leadership about the expansion. For more information, please contact Bonnie Schulte at 717.245.1191 or schulte@cpyb.org.
