A new feasibility study shows local arts groups would benefit from Frisco having a performing arts center in the city as local groups often leave the city for rehearsal and performance space. Frisco City Council members said the city is ultimately waiting to find a private partner to work along side in developing a center. Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, an architectural and engineering firm based in Frisco, conducted the study and presented the findings to Frisco City Council last week during the council's summer work session. According to the study there 14 performing arts groups that have 667 days of demand for performance facilities in Frisco. This demand includes 295 days for performances, 316 days for rehearsals and 56 days for other types of events, such as competitions, fundraisers and meetings. “There’s not enough capacity in Frisco right now," Parkhill Smith & Cooper Associate Michael Howard said during the work session. "… So most of what these [local arts] groups are doing is going outside of Frisco to Allen, Plano and McKinney to meet this demand that is not met with local facilities.". According to the study, the majority of this demand—466 days—calls for a facility with 225 to 500 seats while 177 days of demand calls for a facility of 1,001 to 1,750 seats. Overall the study provided two options based on its findings. The first option is to develop a 300- to 500-seat facility for theatre, music and small dance ensembles. The second option is to develop a 1,200- to 1,500-seat facility in partnership with Frisco ISD that accommodates school performances, local dance schools and dance competitions as well as some touring entertainment. This option also states that the facility should include a 300- to 500-seat flexible theater for community use, rehearsal space, classroom space and other uses. During the work session Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney said the study was conducted to help the council decide whether to use community bond dollars already available to build a performing arts center or to have a private partner help develop a center. In 2015, voters approved $267 million bond that included $10 million for a performing arts center. Council Member Shona Huffman, who is on the council arts committee, said between the options provided in the study, the first option could be done without a private partner by using bond dollars and would be more financially feasible for the local arts groups. “With a 1,200- to 1,500-seat facility, our community arts groups won’t be able to afford the rental fees of a facility of that scope just for rehearsals,” Huffman said. “For me it feels like we’re not meeting the needs of the community arts groups if we don’t provide a space they can afford to use.” Huffman said it would be great if there was a private partner willing to work with the city to develop an arts facility, but one has not become apparent. “To date there is no partner that has said, 'Here is $50 million,'" she said. "And having the land is not the issue. We have land all over the city, but having a land is not going to get the job done. It is the building part that is going to get the job done." According to Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, to build a 300- to 500-seat facility would cost $10-$20 million, and building a 1,200- to 1,500-seat facility would cost  $50-$60 million. The cost only refers to construction, not land costs or operations. Council Member John Keating said he hopes having this study done will inspire potential private partners to consider developing a performing arts center. "The demand is growing in Frisco for all things, both sports and entertainment," Keating said. Cheney said it was council's preference to use available bond funds to build a 300- to 500-seat facility to meet the current demand of community arts groups with the hope of working with a private partner to build a larger performing arts center. No action was taken during the meeting, and the council plans to continue discussions at future meetings. Editor's note: The spouse of a Community Impact Newspaper employee is included as a source for this story. The employee has recused herself from involvement in this editorial coverage in an effort to maintain credibility in coverage.