Staff writer
The Marion Advancement Campaign opened a renovated City Auditorium to the public Thursday, now known as Marion Community Center.
With the floor leveled, MAC president Todd Heitschmidt said the auditorium was now ready to hold wedding receptions, class reunions, and training seminars. A rental fee of $450 was established for the use of the upstairs and downstairs for weddings, but organizers had not decided on a fee for just the main room.
“It’s just a top-notch facility,” Marion Administrator Doug Kjellin said.
The main banquet room Thursday held 30 tables draped in red with 120 chairs. The paint and decorative trim follow a cream, gray, and red color scheme. The black stage, when the projector screen is rolled up, is big enough for a dance floor.
Stadium seats were removed on the main floor and MAC member Gene Winkler leveled the floor.
“We credit Gene with about $9,000 to $10,000 worth of voluntary labor,” Heitschmidt said.
The County Seat installed carpeting and Koehn Painting Company of Newton painted the interior walls.
Fluorescent lights were added to the ceiling to provide appropriate lighting for business events. Winkler also demonstrated the auditorium’s new projector and sound system.
“It’s not quite the IMAX but it’s close,” Winkler said.
In a presentation during the open house, Heitschmidt showed the original plan for a new community center, which would have cost more than $648,000. Using donations, MAC covered the cost of renovating the auditorium for $55,000.
However, the auditorium is not quite complete. The bathrooms, balcony, and basement still need to be renovated; Heitschmidt figured those improvements would cost about $60,000.
“For less than 90 percent, we’ve got something with a lot more character and elegance,” Heitschmidt said.
Winners announced
Winners of the table setting and tree decorations contests were Shirley Bowers for individual table. Her set included nativity sets from around the world. Lily Lundy’s tree, decorated with Kansas State University decoration, was chosen for best individual decorated tree.
Commercial prizes went to Central National Bank for the best commercial table setting and commercial tree decorations.