KPCC, the radio station in Pasadena that carries NPR programs to Southern California, celebrated the grand opening its new $24.5-million studios Saturday.
The grand opening represents a major expansion for the station, which is moving out of its cramped, single studio in Pasadena City College’s library to a large facility boasting 13 studios and control rooms.
Key to the expansion was the willingness of KPCC’s board to write big checks and hit up their rich friends for contributions.
Saturday’s opening of the Mohn Broadcast Center marks a significant turnaround for a station that a decade ago was a low-budget, student-staffed operation with fund-raising so anemic it was about to lose its Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding.
An open house will be held Sunday.
Read more about KPCC’s new studio and its turnaround story here.
— Steve Carney
Related:
KPCC-FM blog post: KPCC begins life at Mohn Broadcast Center
Photo: Larry Mantle, right, host of KPCC’s popular "AirTalk" program, in one of the station’s new studios that celebrated its grand opening Saturday. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times