Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker visited Westminster College for less than an hour, but the impact of his visit will last a lifetime for area residents.

Gov. Schweiker delivered $1.7 million in capital budget redevelopment assistance to Westminster College for a Western Pennsylvania Cultural Arts Center. Westminster raised a matching amount through private donations to fund the $3.4 million project.

The state funding will allow Westminster to renovate the 1,700-seat Orr auditorium to expand cultural and civic programming for area citizens, workshops for area educators, and summer camps for youth. Westminster has also developed a multipurpose room seating 300 in the adjacent Campus Center to accommodate public lectures, dinners, lifelong learning programs, and teacher workshops. The Campus Center also includes food service facilities to support the programs and public use of the Cultural Arts Center.

Westminster hopes to complete the renovations and open the Campus Center by September 2003.

"This project will improve what is already a major public venue for the performing arts in this area," Gov. Schweiker said. "This is more than just a renovation. It is about a community gathering place -- a regional cultural center important to improving the quality of life for this community and this region."

"This project is important because it will bring more people to the area," Gov. Schweiker added. "Any time you bring visitors into your area, you create jobs. Jobs mean paychecks for Pennsylvania workers, and paychecks mean stronger and more attractive communities."

"I believe The Western Pennsylvania Cultural Arts Center is a smart investment in the future of Pennsylvania," Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson said. "The Cultural Arts Center would enable Westminster to expand its successful cultural programs during the summer months, while creating another destination site for regional tourism. The program would benefit the region both culturally and economically.

"The quality of performances presently offered to the community by Westminster through its Celebrity Series is exceptional," Williamson added. "One of the highlights of the summer is the family-oriented Fourth of July celebration -- about 9,000 people share picnics on the grass while enjoying fireworks and The River City Brass Band with beautiful Brittain Lake as a backdrop. I am glad Westminster is continuing its leadership role in working to improve the region."

President Williamson thanked Gov. Schweiker, area legislators, Westminster Trustees, and thousands of alumni and friends of the College for their assistance on the project. He also noted the cooperation of Joanne McBride, director of the Lawrence Country Tourist Promotion Agency, Peggy Mazyck, director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Wilmington Mayor Wendell Wagner, and the Borough Council.

The 1,700-seat Orr Auditorium was built in 1966, and is named for Will W. Orr, Westminster's ninth president. The auditorium is part of Patterson Hall, which also houses the 300-seat Beeghly Theater and Westminster's Art Gallery.