Elta Murphey Performance Hall Reopens After Rebuild

SAN ANGELO, TX-- The Elta Joyce Murphey Performance Hall at City Auditorium, formerly known as just the City Auditorium, re-opened it's doors on Tuesday.

The re-opening of the entertainment venue comes after a "$16-plus million project", according to a City of San Angelo press release. The City of San Angelo and the San Angelo Performing Arts Center worked in conjunction on the project to bring the Hall back to life after closing down in 2009.

Dignitaries from the city and the PAC were in attendance as the ribbon was cut.

Former and current Mayors Dwayne Morrison and Brenda Gunter both spoke on what the re-opening means to the city.

"It was a long hard road," Morrison emphasized to a crowd of onlookers. "But we got her done."

Morrison also corrected a comment about the project starting in 2009 when the City Auditorium closed it's doors, saying "it actually started in 2008."

"They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Mayor Gunter said to the crowd. "I cannot believe anybody will walk in there and say that isn't the prettiest thing they've ever seen.

Gunter would go on to say "I'm so proud of it. I'm so proud to have the opportunity to welcome [Murphey Performance Hall] back into the cultural circle of San Angelo. Most cities don't have something from 1929 in their city hall."

"I believe strongly that cultural events are something that pulls the city together," Mayor Gunter added. "I believe this City Hall will be something that unites our community and our citizens."

The Murphey Performance Hall is the main home for the San Angelo Ballet and Symphony. Touring Broadway shows will also perform at the hall.