| University of Florida Foundation, Inc. | |
| Christopher Brazda | 352-392-1633 |
| Public Relations | 100 NW 20th St |
| cbrazda@uff.ufl.edu | Gainesville, FL 32603 |
| For immediate release | Wednesday, January 25, 2006 |
UF’S PHILLIPS CENTER GETS FIRST RENOVATION THANKS TO $750K GIFT
 |
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The University of Florida’s Phillips Center for the Performing Arts building will make its first encore in the form of an expansion of the existing building, thanks to a major gift from two Gainesville arts patrons.
It was announced today that Martin Fackler and Shelley Melvin have donated $750,000 to UF to help fund a renovation project that will enclose the two existing terraces on the building. This will be the first renovation of the Phillips Center since it was originally built in 1991 and held its first performance in January 1992. The renovation construction is expected to begin in fall 2006.
“The significance of this gift cannot be overstated,” said University of Florida Performing Arts Director Michael Blachly. “It will provide enhanced and valuable spaces for use by audience members in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for years and years to come. The project will create 20 percent more usable space at the center, greatly enhancing educational programming.”
The expanded space will be used to host master classes, demonstrations and other outreach activities by visiting professional artists. At present, these activities occur in the Phillips Center Black Box Theatre or across campus in various facilities, due to the limitations of the current space when large touring companies are in the hall.
Fackler and Melvin have been supporters of the performing arts at UF for many years. Fackler is a retired military surgeon currently serving as a consultant in wound ballistics. Melvin has a career as a food professional, including catering, teaching and authoring cookbooks. She has served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the UFPA for the past seven years and is currently a volunteer for several service organizations in Gainesville.
“Shelley and I wanted to donate something we could share with the community during our lifetimes,” said Fackler.
The gift from Fackler and Melvin is eligible for matching funds from the Alec P. Courtelis Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant Program.
![[Artist's rendition of the UF Phillips Center renovation, click for larger image]](/Images/News/20060125_UF_Phillips_Ctr_Lg.jpg)
Make a Gift Online