BUENA PARK : Arts Group Raises $66,000 for Center

In a recent fund-raiser, the Buena Park Cultural Arts Foundation raised $66,000 for a proposed cultural arts center.

The money came from a sold-out May 13 benefit concert by comedian-musician Victor Borge at Knott’s Berry Farm. The arts foundation will use the money generated by that event and two other planned concerts this summer to benefit the arts center.

The arts center will be built at Buena Park Junior High School, 6931 Orangethorpe Ave., by the city and the Buena Park School District.

Officials estimate the cost at about $4 million.

The city had loaned the Cultural Arts Foundation $32,000 to secure Borge’s appearance. This week, the foundation used concert proceeds to repay that money to the city.

Before the city and the school district can decide whether to proceed with the project, a consultant must complete a study of its cost, how it would fit on the school campus and whether it will meet the needs of residents and students.

“As with all things or most things, the tilting issue will be the financial side of it,” said Wes Morgan, the city’s director of recreation, parks and community services. “Negotiations will have to take place before they decide to do something.”

The city has set aside $800,000 for the project from the sale of property originally proposed for the center, and the school district has saved $1.7 million for its share of the expenses.

The foundation hopes to raise another $2.5 million.