Published: May 26, 2008 08:25 pm      

Princeton’s Chuck Mathena Center prepares for July grand opening

PRINCETON — Workers putting the finishing touches on one of Princeton’s newest assets will give way to performances and audiences this July as the Chuck Mathena Center opens its doors to the public.

Ticket sales for performances in mid July will begin June 9, said Marketing Director Lisa Altizer.

“It officially opens on July 11,” Altizer said. “It is our grand opening weekend and we’re bringing in three performers.” CMC’s opening entertainers include The Del McCoury Band on July 11; The Spencers, Theater of Illusion on July 12; and gospel performer Dr. Ethel Caffie-Austin on July 13.

The Chuck Mathena Center was created in honor of Chuck Mathena, the only child of Charles and Marquetta Mathena. A graduate of Princeton Senior High School, Chuck was a member of the school’s Madrigals Chorale Group and was also named to the All-State West Virginia Chorus. His numerous community activities included Interact, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council, SADD, and the Tennis, Golf, French and Key Clubs. He was also the 1988 recipient of the Hazel Sutphin Robertson Scholarship.

In March 1992, Chuck Mathena died after an automobile accident. He was two months away from graduating with honors from the Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

The Charles T. “Chuck” Mathena II Foundation, Inc. was created to help the educational opportunities and extracurricular activities of Mercer County’s students. More than $150,000 in scholarships have been presented to deserving students, and the foundation has expanded to fulfill the goal of creating a performing arts center for the community and surrounding region.

Now the CMC is getting finishing touches such as installing chairs, putting down flooring, paint touch ups and lighting, Altizer said.

“They’re putting in the front glass wall this week and that is really exciting,” she said. “The columns are scheduled to go up next week. The structure is completed. It’s just all the finishing work that needs to be done. That includes sound, lighting and digital LCD flat panel displays.”

The final cost of the Chuck Mathena Center is approximately $8 million, all of it donations, Altizer said. Now the CMC is starting a new project.

“We are launching the CMC Inaugural Membership. This will be an 18 month membership and this will be a one time only offering. After this inaugural membership is over, it will go to a 12 month membership, so basically they’re getting six months membership at no extra charge.”

This inaugural membership has six levels. Madrigal level is a fee of $100 to $249, followed by Ensemble is $250 to $499, Symphony is $500 to $1,249, Concert Master is $1,250 to $2,499, and Maestro at $2,500.

“As a CMC Inaugural Member, you receive the benefit of advanced purchase opportunities on all CMC series performance tickets before they go on sale to the general public,” Altizer said. Members can also receive recognition in the CMC Series Performance insert, invitations to special membership events, subscriptions to the CMC’s e-newsletter, a CMC Inaugural membership certificate, CMC Inaugural decal, CMC inaugural lapel pin and a limited edition etched crystal CMC Inaugural memento. The benefits are based on member level.

Tickets may be purchased in the CMC offices starting June 9 at 1605 North Walker Street in Princeton near the Mercer County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. They will also be available online by June 9 at chuckmathenacenter.org.