A night view of the new Batesville Performing Arts Center on the Batesville High School campus (left) and a view of the Main Street section of the Batesville Greenway System.
Batesville will mark a milestone Thursday with ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two new community projects — a performing arts center at the high school and an expansion of the city’s downtown Greenway Trail.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will host both events, highlighting the city’s investments in arts, education, and recreation.
The day begins at 9 a.m. with the opening of the Batesville School District’s Performing Arts Center, located on the Batesville High School campus at 1 Pioneer Dr.
The 111,000-square-foot facility, designed to serve as a regional hub for arts, education, and community events, is a state-of-the-art venue featuring orchestra, band, and vocal classrooms with professional-level acoustics, a 2,000-seat auditorium, and a black box theater for smaller performances.
“This center represents a commitment to providing exceptional learning environments and opportunities for all students,” said BSD Superintendent Dr. Ginni McDonald. “Built with students at the heart of its purpose, the center inspires creativity and collaboration, igniting lifelong learning and opening doors for students to explore their talents, interests, and building new hopes and dreams they may not have previously considered—all while enriching schools, the district, and the community.”
Beyond performances, the center will host public forums, school activities, and regional productions—supporting tourism and offering hands-on learning opportunities in stagecraft, lighting, and sound for students interested in creative careers.
At 1 p.m., community members will gather downtown for a ribbon-cutting marking the newest addition to the Batesville Greenway System. The project, funded through the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, converts a section of Main Street’s former right lane into a bike and pedestrian path stretching from 12th to 5th streets.
New benches, trees, light poles, and brickwork line the path, designed to match downtown’s historic character. The addition advances the city’s long-term goal of linking the Greenway Trail with Riverside Park, creating a fully integrated recreation and transportation system.
“Greenway trails strengthen communities by protecting natural habitats and improving public health,” said Parks Director Lowen Lermitte. “They also drive economic growth by boosting property values, tourism, and local pride.”
Images: White River Now
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