Anderson .Paak looking to help keep the PACC open
OXNARD, Calif. - The Oxnard Performing Arts Center is scheduled to close its doors on December 31. This coming after the City was trying to tackle a $9.2 million deficit.
Hiphop Superstar Anderson .Paak paid a visit to help get the word out that he along with some other companies is trying to save the PACC.
“Yo, I just got to Oxnard,” said Anderson .Paak. “They are trying to shutdown O-PACC! Not on my watch.”
Paak made the trip to Oxnard Wednesday morning in hopes of keeping the Oxnard Performing Arts Center open.
“I was just really devastated,” said Paak. “I just remember coming out here as a youngster for like church events, plays, and it has always been a city staple so I was really heartbroken.”
Back in July the Oxnard City Manager proposed closing the PACC to tackle a $9.2 million deficit. But the community pushed back, and the city decided to keep the doors open until Dec. 31.
“There is a lot of anxiety, but I think there is a lot of hope,” said Carolyn Mullin, executive director at the PACC.
In August the city requested proposals for companies looking to operate the Center. The PACC put in a bid partnering with Sterling Venue Ventures which operates the Canyon Club, along with Anderson Paak. But the city hasn't said much about the bid.
“We have heard from city officials that the idea is to close the PACC on Dec. 31 and full council will probably entertain a discussion about this in January,” said Mullin. “But that is unacceptable. I have 50 employees and it’s the holidays and I really do not want to go through layoffs, and if we do not hear other wise that is what is going to happen.”
So Anderson .Paak wants to get the word out.
“They need to keep it open,” said Paak. “The kids deserve it. My whole dream is to pretty much make a boys and girls club on steroids, like 10 times better. It is a place where the kids can be themselves like dance rehearsals, I want to get the state of the art boxing rings in here. I want this to be like the hub for creativity.”
The Oxnard native spent the day hanging out with the kids at the center. His vision is to bring his nonprofit known as the PAAK House to the Performing Arts Center if the city approves it.
“I feel like the city deserves it and I know there is a bunch of talent out here and there is a bunch of free thinkers and they just need a place to go to put all the talent and energy and I can not think of a better place than PACC,” said Park.
The last city council meeting is December 17 and the PACC tells us that they are not on the agenda.
To help keep the PACC open text SAVEOPACC to 44-321 and make a donation.
