Ballet begins construction

From the November 2009 issue of KC Stage

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley, president of the board of directors of Kansas City Ballet, announced that renovations have begun on the historic Union Station Power House building located on the west edge of the Union Station campus at Pershing and West Penn. The Bolender Center for Dance and Creativity will be the permanent home for the professional ballet company, its large and nationally respected school, and will serve as a unique resource for the not for profit performing arts community in the Kansas City region. The building is named in honor of Todd Bolender, who served as artistic director from 1981 to 1995.

When completed, the ballet center will include seven studios, a physical therapy suite, a community conference room, and a 700-800 foot lobby area, dressing/locker room facilities for the professional company members, and efficient space for support staff in marketing, development, finance, and general and school administration. Located next to the recently opened National Archives Records Administration, the property will also provide 180 secure and free parking spaces adjacent to the building. A virtual tour of the renovations is available online at  www.kcballet.org.