INB Performing Arts Center

INB Performing Arts Center



North elevation of the INB Performing Arts Center as seen from Riverfront Park
Former names Spokane Opera House (1974-2006)
Washington State Pavilion (1974)
Address 334 West Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Location Spokane, Washington
Owner Spokane Public Facilities District
Capacity 2,700
Construction
Built 1972-1974
Opened May 1, 1974 (1974-05-01)
Renovated Late 2000s - Early 2010s
Construction cost US$10.8 million (original[1])
Website
inbpac.com

The INB Performing Arts Center is a 2,700-seat theater and entertainment venue in Spokane, Washington. It is located in Downtown Spokane along the south bank of the Spokane River adjacent to the Spokane Convention Center. The facility is owned and operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District.

History

After a two-year, $10.8 million construction from 1972-1974 for the Expo '74 World's Fair in Spokane, the INB Performing Arts Center officially opened as the Washington State Pavilion Opera House on May 1, 1974.[2] A gala took place to celebrate the grand opening of the opera house which included performances by Roberta Peters of the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet's Edward Villella, and Lucette Aldous.[3]

Transfer of ownership to Spokane

After the world's fair ended, operations and management of the facility along with the Spokane Convention Center were transferred to the City of Spokane, with the plan that the city would eventually take ownership of the building from the State of Washington. The legislative bill to transfer the ownership to the city was signed on April 20, 1979 in a special ceremony in front of the Opera House with then-Washington State Governor Dixy Lee Ray, although the actual legal transfer of the property would not take place until 90 days after the current state legislative session ended.[4]

Spokane Public Facilities District era

The facility was owned and operated by the City of Spokane until September 2, 2003 when it transferred both the ownership and operations of the Spokane Opera House along with the Spokane Convention Center to the Spokane Public Facilities District.[5] In 2006, Spokane-based Inland Northwest Bank purchased the naming rights to the Spokane Opera House in a 10-year, $1.5 million deal[6] and the facility was renamed to what it is known as today, the INB Performing Arts Center.

References

  1. ↑ "Few changes planned". The Spokesman-Review. 1979-04-15.
  2. ↑ Powers, Dorothy (1973-06-28). "Preview set for Expo `74". The Spokesman-Review.
  3. ↑ Bartel, Frank (May 2, 1974). "New cultural era launched". Spokane Daily Chronicle.
  4. ↑ "Few changes planned". The Spokesman-Review. 1979-04-15.
  5. ↑ "District History". Spokane Public Facilities District. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Boggs, Alison. "Opera House enters new aria". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 14 July 2013.

Coordinates: 47°39′38″N 117°25′02″W / 47.660600°N 117.417165°W / 47.660600; -117.417165

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