My 2 cents on the proposed Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center in Richland | Opinion

I’m Santino Fontana, and this is just my two cents. I grew up in Richland and count myself lucky to be a professional actor, singer, and performer on Broadway, TV, and in movies.

But my interest in the arts started back in Tri-Town where I performed in local productions in school auditoriums, makeshift outdoor stages, and churches. I tell friends one of my first performances happened in Howard Amon Park at The Fingernail. They look confused.

Early on, I realized the Tri-Cities had no centralized, dedicated space for performances, either local or touring. It still amazes me that there are so many talented people and performing groups here, but except for the Richland Players and the Academy of Children’s Theatre, they don’t have a home, and even those venues have their limitations.

Furthermore, when I was a kid, we often had to drive to Seattle or Portland to see the country’s best actors or musicians perform.

I visited Richland in September to see my folks and perform in a benefit concert and was thrilled to learn that a local nonprofit is planning the Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center. I told them I would do whatever I could to help them make this venue a reality.

Please help by voting “YES” on a special ballot measure for Richland residents on Feb. 11. It calls for a 0.2% sales tax on goods and services purchased in Richland. That’s 2 cents on every $10. TWO CENTS.

This is where I’d give an example of things we buy with 2 pennies, but I can’t think of a single thing. And yet, for just 2 pennies for every 10 dollars you spend, you can help create an arts space that benefits our community, meets the needs of local arts institutions, and brings world-class talent to the Tri-Cities.

An 800-seat theatre with state-of-the-art acoustics, comfortable seats, fly space, and sufficient backstage and dressing room space is ideal not just for local groups and events, but also for a wide range of mid-size touring performances, including concerts of all types, musicals, plays, comedy acts, opera, dance troupes, and so much more.

It will provide audiences with the magic of live performance in an optimal space. Even better, though, is that it gives the amazing local groups an ideal place to perform and rehearse, and it will bring the community together to enjoy quality entertainment. It’s time to give The Fingernail some competition.

This ballot measure is a crucial opportunity to build a performing arts center for the community.

A “yes” vote ensures moving ahead with a long-overdue, sustainable venue that will serve the community, provide space for the arts, and create a lasting cultural asset for future generations.

I get that some people may feel the proposed 800-seat venue is too small, and they may prefer a larger space. However, voting against this measure because of its size doesn’t mean a larger venue will be built. A “no” vote will unfortunately result in no venue for the foreseeable future.

Thank you, and I look forward to performing to packed houses once the Arts Center is open! Just my two cents, and I hope you’ll be willing to invest yours.