The following article and video is courtesy of WJBF and Archith Seshadri.

Columbia County may soon a house a new cultural and educational center.  Members with the Columbia County Orchestra Association came up with the idea because they need more space for rehearsals and for performances.

The proposed facility will be used for dance, drama and concerts.  They plan to have music classrooms and after school rehearsal rooms. There are also plans for science labs and an exhibition gallery.

Rob Nordan teaches various instruments and serves as the music director for the Columbia County Orchestra Association.  The group banded together in 2008.

Nordan: "We started with a civic orchestra with just a few string players and now have an orchestra of between 40 and 50."

And because of that growth, Nordan says they performers need more space to practice and for concerts.

Nordan: "Churches such as West Acres Baptist Church and schools such as Augusta Christian have been very good about providing rehearsal venues as well as places for us to perform but we basically don't have a home."

The proposed performing arts center would include an auditorium to seat 1200 people for dance performances and music concerts. There’s also a plan for a 3000 seat outdoor amphiteater for festivals and graduations.

Nordan: "It is a conceivable for people coming to this area 5 to 6 days a week for all kinds of activities not just arts activities."

The project would cost around $17 million dollars.   Their goal is to have the project split up into different phases. But they have not yet finalized the location. They do plan to keep the facility at a central location to benefit everyone.

Nordan: "Whether they are arts people or they drive way out of town to go see shows, the possibility of having something safe, that is family friendly and that has plenty of parking and has a variety of programs, is something people are very excited about."

The group will meet on August 26^th to review plans and find ways to raise money.