As of today, Jacksonville State University has officially broken ground on its new Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts.

The ceremony marking the occasion was attended by state officials as well as the building’s namesake, country music legend Randy Owen. The Fort Payne native and JSU graduate is the founding member of Alabama, the most awarded band in the history of country music.

Aside from the center’s performance hall, the additional 50,950 square feet of existing space, known as the ROC Educational Wing, will include a 400-seat recital hall, rehearsal hall, backstage suites, recording studio, educational classrooms, and meeting and office space. The new construction of the ROC, housed on the front of the ROC Educational Wing, will contain the 1,000-seat Phil and Denise Webb Performance Hall and the Pi Kappa Phi Lobby.

Personal friends of Randy Owen, Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), were both in attendance. They spoke in praise of the impact that the center will have long into the future.

“Randy is a true ambassador for JSU and the state of Alabama, and I’m proud generations of students will grow their musical passions in a building that bears his name,” Ledbetter said. “Congrats, Randy.”

Today, I joined my friends Randy Owen, @RepLedbetter and @JSUNews to break ground on the Randy Owen Center for Performing Arts.

This facility will foster a passion for the performing arts among students — and many others — for generations to come. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/zem8UuBKwa

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) July 16, 2024

It was an honor to break ground on the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts at @JSUNews.

Randy is a true ambassador for JSU and the state of Alabama, and I'm proud generations of students will grow their musical passions in a building that bears his name. Congrats, Randy. pic.twitter.com/AhqAIDSQtO

— Nathaniel Ledbetter (@RepLedbetter) July 16, 2024

According to JSU, the project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2025 with an estimated final cost of $41.3 million. The Alabama Legislature contributed $15 million to make that dream a reality.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten