Lubbock ISD Announces Partnership with Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association

On Thursday, January 22, the Lubbock ISD board of trustees announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association that will allow LISD student unprecedented access to the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts.

As well as being able to utilize a state-of-the-art facility, LISD has received governance of the building which will feature a 2,200-seat theatre, a 350-450-seat theatre and a multi-purpose, divisible room.

Dan Pope, president of the LISD Board of Trustees, said the facility – which will host students from all LISD schools and serve as a regional hub for events including UIL competitions – provides the district a unique opportunity much the same way constructing the Pete Regus Aquatic Center did some 25 years ago. Pope said that program continues to be successful serving as a facility for all LISD students to utilize and as a regional hub for swimming and diving events.

I see this partnership being of that same type… I think the relationship between the school district and the center will be unique statewide.”

An estimated 85 percent of LISD students spend time in some form of fine-arts classes either performance or studio. Superintendent Berhl Robertson, Jr, Ed.D. said, “Students will perform in everything from one-act play, to band, choir, orchestra, mariachi and ballet folklorico; we anticipate an abundance of utilization. In addition the visual arts and elementary campuses will have opportunities not currently available.”

The Buddy Holly Hall will be located at the site of the former DPS building adjacent to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Demolition of the building began in late 2014. LEPAA Chairman Tim Collins said construction is anticipated to begin in early 2016.

Pope said the MOU will still be finalized in a lease, but includes long-term governance agreements as well as signage and sole use in marketing. Other area districts will be able to utilize the center, but not have the same partnership level as LISD.

Chairman of the LEPAA board Tim Collins said the alliance had three goals in mind for the Buddy Holly Center, “We wanted to build a dynamic state of the art performing arts center, we wanted the facility to be as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment, and we wanted to build a facility that would serve the entire community and the South Plains. My sense is that with this agreement today with LISD, we have taken a giant step forward in accomplishing all three of those goals.”

Collins said LEPAA is in talks with several corporate entities for sponsorships and naming rights, but no details could be released.

Although he will have already graduated by the time of its completion, Lubbock High School sophomore James Berry said the facility should be a great venue for students to perform, “If not for me then the people behind me; I’m sure it will be great for the district.” The French Horn Player was named All-State in band days before the press conference.