Written by Don Gilman
A major crisis has struck the Roene B. DiFiore Center for the Arts and Education in downtown St. George. On Monday, July 6, the main waterline into the Center burst, causing extensive damage, ceasing operations at the Center, and creating a need for numerous repairs. Water was returned to the DiFiore Center on Saturday; however, the damage has put the nonprofit organization in need of assistance from the community.
The DiFiore Center was dedicated in 2012, and is housed in the historic Orval and Ruth Hafen home. The Center is named in memory of Roene B. DiFiore, an assistant professor of music back when DSU was still Dixie State College. DiFiore was the head of the Program Bureau, the precursor to the current show choir, Raging Red. DiFiore was widely regarded as inspiring and uplifting teacher who believed that everyone could sing.
The DiFiore Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advocating and promoting artistic opportunities in southern Utah. It is open to students and teachers of all ages. The Center is part of A.R.T.S. (Artistic Resources for Teachers and Students) Inc. According to the DiFiore Center website, “A.R.T.S. Inc. is the only Arts and Education organization in the State of Utah that involves artists, business and community leaders, school district fine arts curriculum directors, parents, educators and interested individuals working together with the sole purpose of strengthening Arts and Education.”
A number of different organizations call the DiFiore Center home, including the Arts Council of Washington County, The Space Between Theatre Company and the St. George Dance Company, along with many others.
Executive Director Ernie Doose said the age of the house was a main factor in the pipes breaking.
“It’s a historic landmark. The house is 63 years old,” Doose said. “They are old galvanized pipes. Over time the ground shifts, and these pipes break. It [initially] broke in the rose garden. The plumber cut the pipe and spliced it. When he turned it on, it broke in another section. He fixed it, and it broke again. We had to put a whole new waterline from the meter up to the house. Saturday, they finally got the water hooked up.”
The damage has resulted in the rose garden being dug up, the sidewalks excavated and walls removed in the Hafen home to make room for repairs. The Center is seeking $15,000 in donations in order to facilitate reconstruction. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated at the end of last week and has so far raised a little over 10 percent of their goal. For more information or to donate, go to http://www.gofundme.com/z2fxhw.
