The Town of Mammoth Lakes recently broke ground on the 7,500 SF McCoy Arts and Cultural Center. The HMC design team, community members, and dignitaries from the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, Mammoth Lakes Foundation (MLF), Kern Community College District (KCCD), and Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) joined to celebrate this construction milestone.

The McCoy Arts & Cultural Center addition expands the existing Edison Theater with a new 240 seat performance hall. Designed as a hub for community gatherings, the venue hosts both musical and visual performances in an intimate setting. Visitors are greeted by a custom perforated graphic of Dave McCoy, an American Skier who founded the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The exterior palette of steel and CMU ground the addition within its context while providing a powerful presence for the community.

The interior of the cultural center draws inspiration from the forests of Mammoth Lakes evoking the sense of being outdoors with the comforts of an interior space. The theater features rich wood tones complemented by bronze accents. Custom interior walls with laser cut trees surrounding the seating provide a dual purpose, enhancing acoustics while functioning as striking architectural element. The flooring incorporates subtle accents of green and wood, reminiscent of the textures and hues of the forest floor. The primary design challenge was accommodating a fully functional performance venue within the smallest possible footprint. The design team carefully balanced the acoustical requirements with the spatial and technical demands of a working theater, ensuring that the compact theater did not compromise the performance quality.

More than two decades in the making, this project began in 2000 when voters in the Town of Mammoth Lakes approved a municipal bond to fund a community-centered performance space. Since then, the entire community—including Town leadership, MLF, KCCD, and MLR—has worked tirelessly and collaboratively to bring the McCoy Arts and Cultural Center to life. Their shared vision, dedication, and partnership have made this long-awaited dream a reality.

The center is scheduled to complete in March 2027.