Congress Approves $4 Million for University of Maine Presque Isle Auditorium Renovation Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $4,000,000 for the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s renovation of the Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture and Rural Development appropriations bill.  The bill, which was included in legislation that passed the Senate today, now heads to the President to be signed into law.

“The Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts has long provided a performance space for students and communities throughout Aroostook County to attend and engage in educational, artistic, and cultural programs,” said Senator Collins.  “This funding will support necessary structural renovations to ensure the historic hall can be used for generations to come.”

"These much-needed funds will allow us to complete a project nearly two decades in the making – the refurbishment of our auditorium in Wieden Hall.  Since 1960, this space has served as a cultural and performing arts center, an academic training ground, and a public forum for the exchange of ideas, not just for our campus, but also the greater community,” said Raymond Rice, Ph.D., President of University of Maine Presque Isle.  “We are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts once our renovations are completed."

Funding for this project will address structural, safety, and ADA improvements to the facility to meet the needs of the campus community and local partners.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending.  Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023.  As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

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