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After 10 years of planning and work, Maryville College's civic arts center reached a critical milestone on Friday.

The moment was undeniable.

A procession of Maryville College administrators, teachers, students, officials from the cities of Alcoa and Maryville, civic arts center fundraising team members and private citizens walked down the gravel path of a future outdoor arts plaza to a white structural steel beam while joyful choral music filled their ears.

People later passed a black permanent marker among themselves and signed their names on the beam. After celebratory remarks from area officials, a crane operator lifted the beam and two workers bolted in place the last piece of structural steel during the topping out ceremony.

"A lot of credit needs to go around," said Dr. Matt Murray, Blount County Industrial Board chairman. "This is the outgrowth of the dreams of many, and I'd assume the nightmares of others," he joked.

"Many individuals and several groups have been involved. However, we're simply support," said Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor. "The true spirit was being shaped by the workers actually doing the work."

Naming ceremony

"For many years this structure has been known as the civic arts center. Henceforth, it will record a family's generosity. Their name is synonymous with philanthropy in this time and place," said Robert Hutchens, the center's executive director.

"Their contribution represents the largest private gift to date for the project. Even when things got bad, Kevin (Clayton) wouldn't worry. 'The stars are aligned,' he would say. How prophetic he was," he said.

"There's no possible way we'd be here today without Kevin Clayton, Chelly Clayton, Jim Clayton and Kay Clayton," Hutchens said.

Clayton Homes and the Clayton Family Foundation are the largest private donors to the civic arts center project to date. In appreciation of their generosity, the facility will bear the name of the Clayton Center for the Arts.

"It's been an honor. We're so grateful for the opportunity," Kevin Clayton said. "I especially want to honor dad and Kay. I wouldn't be here without you all. My work pales in comparison to the check you had to write," he joked.

"Early on, there was no money for this design. The Lamberts kept writing check after check, and the Maryville College board -- how many leaps of faith did they have to make? This is your day. It's about so many of you who love the arts and this area," Kevin Clayton said. "Today's really fun... it's going to happen."

Clayton then challenged audience members to help out.

"We all need to contribute at some level. There is no greater place to give," he said, noting the arts center will further develop Blount County's economy.

Remaining funds

The project's total price is expected to be near $47.3 million, and about $7 million of this money still needs to be raised.

Officials are trying to raise $2 million in community member donations, and the remaining $5 million will come from alumni, grants and other large donors.

The CAC's two buildings will house a 1,200-seat performance hall, a 250-seat recital hall, a 200-seat flexible theater, a grand lobby with a 250-capacity dining area, three gallery/exhibit spaces and an outdoor arts plaza that can be used for special events.

Officials expect the facility to be completed by December and open for its first event early next year.