The Dawson County Performing Arts Center will open its doors to the public next week.

The 1,000 seat auditorium, which is now officially the largest meeting center in Dawson County, will be available for people to peruse from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 8.

"We are very proud of our new performing arts center," said Superintendent Damon Gibbs. "It will serve the children of Dawson County for many years. We encourage our community to attend the open house and tour the new facility."

The board of education will hold its August meeting immediately following at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

The new facility is on the north side of Dawson County High School at 1665 Perimeter Road.

The center will house the drama, art, chorus and band departments.

Moving the programs into the new facility has allowed for renovations to their former space in the high school building. That space will bring Dawson County High School's classroom capacity up to 1,450.