MAC asks donors, residents for input about renovation project
Managing editor
If there ever was a time to renovate the city auditorium, it’s now.
That was the theme of a meeting Nov. 19, when previous donors of Marion Advancement Campaign (MAC) and the general public heard comments about the possibility of a Marion City Auditorium renovation project.
Mike Powers, chairman of MAC, explained to the crowd of approximately 30 people, it just so happened that both MAC and a separate committee, which was appointed by Marion City Council, were considering remodeling options of the city auditorium.
Since USD 408 built a new auditorium, there have not been as many activities at the facility. By altering the interior, the building could be used for receptions, seminars, trade shows, reunions, and other events.
MAC began raising funds with the intent of constructing a movie theater/community center complex.
Powers emphasized MAC appreciates those who donated for the movie theater project which “has not been taken off the table, just moved to the side.”
“All past donors will receive recognition,” he said.
Powers continued that the organization could not raise necessary capital to make the project work.
“We found that those who supported a community center did not necessarily support a movie theater,” he said.
MAC determined there was a need to explore options of a community center.
“The city auditorium committee had the same idea,” Powers said.
Members of MAC and the auditorium committee recently toured the Wareham Theater in Manhattan.
Although the Manhattan theater appeared to be much larger than Marion’s, the two facilities were similar in size.
At the Wareham, bench seats from the 1930s era facility were removed and replaced with tables and chairs. Sloped flooring was changed to three tiers.
Doug Kjellin, Marion Economic Development Director, suggested if a similar project was considered at the Marion facility, the sloped floor could be a one- level floor, which would make it ADA compliant. Bench seats would be removed and also replaced with tables and chairs, like at the Wareham.
The sound system could be updated, bathrooms remodeled, and the basement could get a facelift.
Kjellin said if only a few changes are made, the facility would be more conducive for seminars and trade shows.
“The events could be on a Friday or Monday and encourage people to stay in town for a few days,” he said.
Currently the auditorium has a maximum capacity of 334 people, the balcony 210, and basement 180. With renovation, those numbers could go up because of the increased safety for people to exit the building in case of emergency.
Courtney Geis, also in attendance, was introduced. She is a Marion High School graduate and has agreed to design renovations of the building as a capstone project which is required as a senior architect student.
The project is due in the spring which is when Geis will divulge the plans. Those designs then could be used to plan possible renovations.
“If we don’t do this now, I don’t know when we could,” Powers said.
He continued the project could be done in phases.
No specific dollar amount is known at this point. However, Kjellin said approximate costs could be less than $40,000 for a wooden floor and $30,000 for ADA compliant bathrooms. No other cost estimates were revealed.
There are grants available should the community and city council want to move forward. However, as with all grants, matching funds are required.
If this plan is determined to be what the city council and residents want, MAC would be interested in spearheading the project.
Todd Heitschmidt of Marion Economic Development Inc. said other donations are needed besides monetary. Donations of time, talent, and expertise will be needed.
He talked about various types of donations and funds. Heitschmidt said he previously served on foundations in other counties where he worked and lived.
Powers said the community needs to decide if this project is what needs to be done.
“We need to know if the community thinks this is a good idea,” he said.
Residents are encouraged to continue giving to MAC whether they support specific projects.
“We’re not just one project and out,” Powers said. “Our vision is way beyond that.”
At the end of the presentation, those in attendance appeared to agree the renovation project was a good idea with head nodding and verbal responses.
Questions from the audience included whether the current stage would remain and whether renovations would include office space currently used by Marion Chamber of Commerce and the city.
The fate of the stage would be determined if and when the council decides whether to proceed with the plans. If the stage would remain, it could be used for dinner theater-type of performances. It was noted the stage at the Wareham was used as a dance floor for wedding receptions.
“MAC believes Marion needs a community center,” Powers said, “but the first thing is to get input from the public.”
“Go green,” Geis suggested. “What better way to reuse a building than a project like this.”