OCPAC upgrade on track

The newest additions to the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Costa Mesa campus are inching closer to their opening night.

The 2,000-seat Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and 500-seat Samueli Theater are nearly 90% complete and are on track for a planned gala opening in September.

A pedestrian plaza with a fountain that will connect existing performing arts spaces with the new buildings has not been completed, and seats are not yet installed in the facilities.

Arts center supporters also are trying to close a $77 million fundraising gap ? about $133 million of the $200 million goal has been raised.

Performing arts center president Terrence Dwyer said he expects significant progress in raising money over the next several months, and having the new building available for tours will help.dpt.24-ocpac-1-CPhotoInfoIU1Q8DIF20060424iy3onuncDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Darrell Waters, vice president of projects, and Kerry Madden, vice president of operations, look at the Segerstrom Concert Hall. The scaffolding that has covered every square inch of the hall is being dismantled.