MANATEE -- WUSF on Thursday unveiled its new performance studio at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.
The 900-square-foot studio is designed for radio, television and video production and performances that will serve Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“Thanks to a great partnership with wonderful people we brought a real win to the greater Manatee-Sarasota community,” said Dr. Arthur Guilford, regional chancellor of USF Sarasota-Manatee during a news conference inside the studio.
An estimated $300,000 will have been invested into building the WUSF studio when the finishing touches are complete. WUSF officials will top off the quaint studio with a grand piano and additional television production lighting.
The studio, located in the mini rotunda, is already equipped with sound-proof walls, a quiet ventilation system, a sound booth, wiring, microphones and light oak floors that will serve as a sound stage for live classical music performances from Sarasota Orchestra and visiting artists.
“We’re thrilled to have this space to share the arts with the region,” said Russell Gant, classical music director at WSMR 89.1 FM.
WUSF and USF officials announced in September they would partner to build a studio in the mini rotunda of the Manatee-based campus.
USF agreed to provide the space, formerly a computer lab. And WUSF held a fundraising campaign and collected grant funding to pay for renovations and equipment.
In August, WUSF agreed to purchase Sarasota-based WSMR for $1.2 million from Northwestern College of St. Paul, Minn. so it could debut a new 24-hour classical music station on 89.1 FM, leaving 89.7 for news talk radio.
The classical music station was schedule to debut Sept. 15 but technical problems at the broadcasting tower delayed its launch for two months.
The classical music station is currently running on low-signal strength as it has been since November due to transmission problems. To get 89.1 FM on full power, WUSF ordered a new antenna, upgraded its transmitter and is currently having new equipment installed at the tower.
“We’ve had a crew out all week doing the last piece of work,” said JoAnn Urofsky, general manager of WUSF Public Media.
On Feb. 15, Urofsky said, the U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to come in and install a special filter that is expected to help remedy interferences with its antennae and improve its signal strength. The filter is estimated to cost between $17,300 and $25,000.
“We presume that will work,” Urofsky said.
