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Scottsdale has spent just under $1 million on safety and sanitation upgrades to three city facilities as the city prepares to re-open public spaces.
At a cost of $985,600, the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center at WestWorld are being worked on presently to receive health and cleaning upgrades, city spokesperson Kelly Corsette told the Independent.
The funds come from the federal CARES Act money Scottsdale received earlier this year to pay for COVID-19-related expenses.
WestWorld’s equestrian center, which is preparing to have a Barrett-Jackson auto auction next month, is receiving $584,000 worth of upgrades that include installing advanced ionization and ultraviolet air cleaning; expanded air exhaust; touchless fixtures and automatic doors. The upgrades apply to WestWorld’s north and south halls and the equidome.
The two downtown Scottsdale Arts properties — Center for the Performing Arts and SMoCA — are receiving advanced ionization and ultraviolet air cleansing and touchless fixtures. Automatic doors are being installed at the performing arts center as well.
The cost for upgrades at the Center for Performing Arts is $305,000, while Scottsdale is spending an estimated $96,600 at SMoCA.
Both Scottsdale Arts and WestWorld are in the early stages of welcoming the public back to their facilities. For events over 50 people, the city has created an administrative process, which requires a written health and safety operations plan that details the measures the protocols the event producer is implementing for the event.
Earlier this year, Scottsdale received $29 million in federal CARES Act funding.
In addition to WestWorld and the Scottsdale Arts centers, the Scottsdale Stadium and two dozen other city buildings could receive health-friendly upgrades, city officials said in June.
Facilities to be upgraded also include libraries, senior centers, community centers and City Hall.
The earmarked budget for community facility upgrades is $3.1 million.
Melissa Rosequist Managing Editor | East Valley @mrosequist_
I first started my journalism portfolio at the age of 15 while in high school before going on to study at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Being in the journalism field is the only professional avenue I was ever interested in, and have worked hard covering topics from school boards to hard news while working for the Independent, where I have been awarded for my reporting.