Drury University will hold its grand opening of the $12 million, 3,100-seat O'Reilly Family Event Center Oct. 1, with a month of events to follow.
The series of opening events will culminate with an Aretha Franklin concert on Oct. 30, according to a Drury news release.
During the Oct. 1 grand opening ceremony, the public will have the chance to tour the facility. There also will be a barbecue, concert with M-Dock Band and a fireworks show, the release said.
Scheduled events in October:
- Oct. 2 - Panther Run to benefit Care to Learn, the center will serve as the start and finish lines
- Oct. 8 - Lady Panther volleyball team vs. the Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Oct. 9 - Springfield Symphony Pops concert series
- Oct. 15 - Hoops Hysteria, start of basketball practice for the Panthers and Lady Panthers
- Oct. 16 - Hammons School of Architecture's 25th Anniversary Gala Event;
- Oct. 23 - Drury Athletics Auction
- Oct. 28 - Axel and the Equators concert
- Oct. 29 - Lifehouse concert, with American Idol winner Kris Allen
- Oct. 30 - Aretha Franklin concert
Tickets can be purchased
online.
In November, the O'Reilly center will host a concert by Darius Rucker - former Hootie and the Blowfish singer - and a show with comedian Bill Engvall, according to the release.
The O'Reilly Family Event Center was constructed by Killian Construction Co. and designed by H Design Group LLC. It was funded by contributions and donations, including $6 million from the O'Reilly family and $600,000 from the Pitt family - which allowed the center to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Gold standards, according to
Springfield Business Journal coverage.
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