West Valley Performing Arts Center’s ticket sales increase after nearly facing closure

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — The West Valley Performing Arts Center says ticket sales are up as they work to keep the center open. 

In May, West Valley City announced its intention to close the center at the end of the 2024 season. The city said it would have to close the center due to “structural issues and the high cost of repairs.”

However, after the center’s management and other supporters pled their case, the West Valley City Council voted to keep the center open.   

Now, the city is in the process of transferring the administration to the West Valley Arts Foundation.

The Vice Chair of the foundation, John Sweeney, said that before the closure announcement, not many people knew that shows were still going on.

“People just didn’t realize there was a new occupant to the building and that there were now shows in that building,” Sweeney said. 

West Valley City is still investing in the organization for at least the next two years so the center can stay open.

But now, that’s changed. Sweeney said a recent performance of Legally Blonde the Musical was likely the highest-attended performance since the center opened three years ago.

“I think the news has helped to show, ‘Hey look everyone, we’re open,'” Sweeney said.

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