Arts center fund raising falls short
The Daily Inter Lake
Fund-raisers fell short of their goal to raise pledges of at least $13 million by July 5 for a new performing arts center at Glacier High School, but they haven't given up hope of major donors coming forward.
During the two weeks preceding the July 5 deadline, promoters of the Glacier Performing Arts Center gathered $1.15 million in pledges. The center's volunteer board and steering committee launched the fast-paced campaign ultimately to see whether they could meet another deadline - promissory notes to cover construction costs have to be in hand by Friday, when initial pier installation for the building would begin.
Delays beyond this date would postpone the opening of the school.
"The benefits of this project for students and the whole community are so compelling that it is worth a try," said Darlene Schottle, superintendent of School District 5.
The benefits are compelling, noted Glacier Performing Arts Center board President Jean Hagan.
The 1,300-seat proposed facility is priced at $21 million as a free-standing structure. That cost is reduced to $15.5 million for the construction of a comparable facility when combined with Glacier High School construction, because of savings on shared structural and mechanical systems, parking, auxiliary space, black-box theater, shared lobby, construction management and utility extensions.
School trustees budgeted $2.5 million for an auditorium, theater and related class space and will proceed with that plan unless a funding miracle occurs.
"We were gratified to receive commitments of [$1.15 million] for the high-school site in this short period of time and believe it speaks to the broad appeal and community benefits offered by this project," Hagan said. "The momentum and interest generated are encouraging."
The public is invited to find out more about the project by reviewing conceptual drawings at CTA Architects at First Interstate Bank in Kalispell.
To make a pledge, call one of the art center's board members: Hagan at 837-5749; Steve Stahlberg at 257-8399; Joe Brenneman at 758-5503; Mary Gibson at 755-9340; Eric Kaplan at 892-4446; Jane Karas at 756-3801; Pam Kennedy at 758-7704; Brad Seaman at 863-9374; or Joe Unterreiner at 758-2800.