Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that the reflecting pool at Kleinhans Music Hall has undergone a significant renovation. The newly restored pool, now officially named The Stenclik Family Reflecting Pool, is located on the eastern side of the building and surrounds the exterior of the Mary Seton Room. This project, which cost approximately $450,000, involved draining, resurfacing, and relining the 17,000 square-foot structure.
The governor emphasized that this renovation is just one part of a larger $15 million project aimed at revitalizing Kleinhans Music Hall. “Kleinhans is one of the finest concert halls in the world. People come for the music and events but are often drawn to the reflecting pool, which is a selfie hotspot in Buffalo,” Governor Hochul stated in a press release. “By investing in this cultural and architectural gem, we ensure it will continue to contribute to the quality of life and economic vitality of the region for decades to come. I look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy the fine arts and culture that New York has to offer.”
Located on Symphony Circle, Kleinhans Music Hall has been a cornerstone of Western New York for over 82 years. It serves as the primary performance and rehearsal space for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Just Buffalo Literary Center's BABEL Author Series, and the Buffalo Chamber Music Society. Additionally, the hall is rented out by schools and community members for various events.
Jeremy Oczek, chair of the Kleinhans Music Hall board of directors, highlighted the importance of preserving such cultural landmarks. “Buffalo recognizes that our treasured cultural destinations must be protected. Kleinhans is an excellent example of a place that is providing inspiration, rejuvenation, peace, and solace through music—and is also providing a place for quiet meditation with the reopening of our beautiful reflecting pool. I thank Governor Hochul and all our partners in government for their support of this project. We are also happy to officially recognize this feature of the hall as The Stenclik Family Reflecting Pool, in honor of their long and generous history of support for the hall and the BPO,” Oczek said.
The remaining $15 million project, expected to be completed before 2028, includes several key components:
- An entirely new roof to protect the building from water infiltration, funded by the City of Buffalo.
- Reconstruction of the boiler room ceiling and steel infrastructure, which had deteriorated due to years of water damage, funded by Erie County.
- Installation of new air handlers, with ongoing work involving the installation of efficient modular steam boilers connected by a state-of-the-art building management system.
- Smaller projects include updated fire systems and smoke detectors, eventual installation of new fall protection above the stage, automatic doors for accessibility, upgrades to exterior and interior lighting for energy efficiency, and restoration of wood finishes over time.
Scott Stenclik, chair of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, expressed his family’s pride in the recognition. “My family and I are truly honored by this designation. As someone who has been coming to Kleinhans my entire life, we know how important it is, not only to the BPO but to the greater community. We felt it was our duty to help however possible to preserve this great hall for future generations.”
Post a Comment