Florida Institute of Technology’s National Public Radio Station, WFIT-89.5 FM, has a new home. The station will hold a grand opening and celebration CD release party for TWITCHY, the Florida Tech president’s faculty band, in its new facility on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. The just-completed broadcast center is located adjacent to the Gleason Performing Arts Center on campus. The community is welcome to attend the event, which will also feature a concert by TWITCHY at 7 p.m., which will be simulcast live on WFIT.
The $1.8 million facility comprises 6,500 square feet, which quadruples the station’s former space in the basement of Roberts Residence Hall. Built connecting to Gleason, it extends culture and arts capabilities in one location, facilitating live broadcasts from the performing arts center. The studios feature the latest in sound and vibration isolation technology and are acoustically engineered to meet or exceed the latest in production and broadcast standards. WFIT now has four production and editing studios, a performance studio for ensembles such as TWITCHY, and a centralized on-air studio.
“We are thrilled to gain another boost for culture and the arts here. The new facility opens up so many more opportunities to enliven our campus and the community,” said Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese.
The new broadcast center is designed to withstand 130-mph hurricane-force winds. It also includes a 100 percent generator backup to ensure WFIT stays on the air throughout power outages and emergencies.
“We couldn’t be happier,” said WFIT General Manager Terri Wright. “We have waited a very long time for a facility that can support our offering so much more to the community. We are very grateful to everyone who made this possible.”
For more information, call WFIT at (321) 674-8950.