Chesterfield County needs a cultural center

Dear Editor,

I have been a resident of Woodlake and Chesterfield County for almost 10 years, and in that time, I estimate I have attended 250 cultural events - lectures, plays, concerts, etc. Of that number, none have been located within Chesterfield. That's none - as in zero.

By my count, there are approximately 58 performing groups and 20 venues in the greater Richmond area, and again, none are located in Chesterfield. I would be surprised if any other county of this size can or would want to duplicate those numbers.

I have been told the reason is that Chesterfield County has more school-age children, and that money spent on education and ball fields leaves none for the arts. Hardly a satisfactory excuse.

In 2004, so I have been told, a bond issue was passed allocating $7.5 million for a cultural arts center to be built next to the Chester Library. However, there was a stipulation that another $7.5 million was to be raised privately in order that a facility would be built in 2009 or 2010. I have talked to the woman in charge of Chesterfield Cultural Center for the Arts, and she admitted to me about three months ago that no funds have yet been raised.

It is my understanding that the disposition of Clover Hill High School, once it ceases to be a high school, has not yet been determined. That being the case, I am suggesting the facility be studied to see if it could become a cultural arts center similar to the one in Glen Allen [in Henrico County]. If not feasible, why not use the high schools as venues for performing arts? How about providing incentive to encourage a theatre (a la Barksdale) at the Hancock Village Shopping Center, currently under construction, or the Cloverleaf [Mall replacement]?

Howard A. Meyers

Midlothian