Contrary to what some may have heard, the Hub — the city-owned performing arts center — is still open and will remain so even after changes this summer.

For the past three years Red Earth Theatre, under the watchful eye of Kate Hawkes, has managed the venue at Posse Grounds Park. The city recently announced it will not be renewing its contract with Red Earth. Beginning Sunday, July 1, the Hub will be overseen by the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department.

“The Hub is not closing at all,” Assistant City Manager Karen Osburn said. “The city fully intends to continue to operate the Hub as a performing arts center. The only thing that will change is the management. It makes sense for us to manage both facilities [the Hub and Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park pavilion]. Red Earth has been cooperatively working with us during the transition to make sure there is as little disruption to the user as possible.”

Osburn said the Hub was created to fill a void in the performing arts community because it needed space to practice, perform and rehearse. The intention is to still use the venue in that way. The city will form a work group of current users of the facility to see what is needed and how to move forward.

“We [the city] are not looking to put on any programs or performances — that’s not what we do. This is for the arts community,” Osburn said. “The arts community can put that programming on.”

For the foreseeable future, she said the city plans to honor the current rate schedule for those wishing to rent the venue. In terms of the types of uses for the Hub, it will be limited to performing artists.

“If the needs in the performing arts community are filled and the space is only being used, say, 25 percent of the time, then we can look at what some other appropriate uses may be,” she said. “We want to maximize the use through the performing arts. And with the two venues, artists can choose which best suits their needs.”

If all those needs are being met, Osburn said they then may consider broadening the Hub’s use from performing arts to all arts before any kind of commercial or private use such as a wedding or private gathering. Until then, she feels there is still room for the Hub to grow.

Despite the contract not being renewed, Osburn said the city appreciates the work Hawkes has done.

“Kate Hawkes and Red Earth Theatre have done a great job over the course of the last three years in growing the Hub into a vibrant performance venue and making the community aware of this great amenity,” she said. “We want to continue to build on what she has done.”

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com