Concert hall opens for Riverside Community College students

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A brand new concert hall and teaching facility opened in downtown Riverside for community college students.

The concert hall is part of the Centennial Plaza, which refers to the 100-year anniversary of the Riverside Community College District that was celebrated this year.

Before the hall was created, student musicians would have to perform at their auditorium on campus, where the acoustics were less than ideal. But in the new hall, the students said the sound is incredible.

"We are going from facilities from the 70s and 80s to 21st Century sound," Chancellor Michael Burke said.

He added that the bulk of the $80 million project was paid for by bonds approved by the voters in 2002 for college district projects. And Centennial Plaza isn't just about the concert hall, there's also a culinary academy next door.

"We're putting a stake in the ground here in the heart of Riverside to say that our college is going to continue to flourish in the fine and performing arts," Burke said.