New arts building planned at WestConn

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) - Construction has started on a new $97 million building at Western Connecticut State University to house its growing arts programs, which draw hundreds of students to enroll at the school.

State and regional officials held a groundbreaking ceremony this week at the Danbury-based university for the new Visual and Performing Arts Center. It will be 135,000 square feet and is expected to open in 2014.

Western Connecticut State currently has about 550 students studying music, theater arts and fine arts.

The News-Times reports  officials at Monday's groundbreaking believe the new building will benefit the region by drawing talented students and faculty to study and settle in greater Danbury.

The building will house a 350-seat concert hall, a 350-seat theater, an art gallery, a recording studio, rehearsal space and classrooms.