CONGRESSMAN VISITS COLLEGE'S NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer VALENCIA - Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon saw education dollars at work Tuesday at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. as he toured the site of a new theater and a campus center that offers degree programs from four-year universities. McKeon, who is visiting his congressional district Noun 1. congressional district - a territorial division of a state; entitled to elect one member to the United States House of Representatives district, territorial dominion, territory, dominion - a region marked off for administrative or other purposes during the August legislative recess, was struck by the size of the $15 million Performing Arts Center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. . ``It's colossal,'' said McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, filing past what will be a backstage rehearsal studio. ``They're doing a fantastic job.'' The two-story, 950-seat theater on the campus's east end along Rockwell Canyon Road is scheduled to open in fall 2004. It is poised to expand Santa Clarita's cultural offerings by drawing headlining acts from Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , McKeon said. ``There are are lot of people out there that think we're a small town,'' he said. ``This is not small by any means.'' College Executive Vice President Phil Hartley said the college has been working with Citrus College According to the Public Policy Institute of California, Citrus College had 632 students who transferred to universities during the 2005-2006 academic year, ranking seventh in the area. Citrus College students are represented by ASCC the Associated Students of Citrus College. in Glendora and other area auditoriums to promote the arts center as a performance tour stop. The center will house a 7,500-square-foot main stage, studios, a prop shop and a leading-edge sound system that could adjust to the acoustic needs of various performers. The city of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, also contributed $2.4 million for a second level of seating and an outdoor sculpture garden A sculpture garden is an outdoor garden dedicated to the presentation of sculpture, usually several permanently-sited works in durable materials in landscaped surroundings. . ``It'll enhance all performing arts productions at the school,'' McKeon said. ``It's what education's all about.'' McKeon also stopped by the Interim University Center, where residents can take classes offered by four-year institutions such as California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an , and Woodbury University The creator of this article, or someone who has substantially contributed to it, may have a conflict of interest regarding its subject matter. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. and earn bachelor's or graduate degrees. Since opening a year ago, the center has received $1.3 million in federal funding arranged by McKeon. The money bought a large portable classroom building and computers while college officials labor to raise some $10 million for a permanent facility. McKeon said he is committed to lowering financial and physical barriers to higher education. ``They can stay with their families at home and still go to university,'' McKeon said. ``That's where you have big savings. It's a fantastic way to spend money.'' Hartley said he was glad to receive the congressman. ``When he's in town, he always comes by,'' he said. ``He's a great supporter of the college.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon walks down the main staircase at the new performing arts center at College of the Canyons during a tour of the construction site Tuesday. (2) Scaffolding laces the interior of the new performing arts center at College of the Canyons. (3) Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon wears a hard hat as he tours the construction site of the new arts center. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer |
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