$500,000 gift jump-starts auditorium project

The curtain will be raised next year on a newly renovated historic Central School Auditorium, thanks to a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor.

To date, five Whitefish families have made gifts totaling $950,000, project chairman Ross Anderson said. Several gifts are anonymous, and other donations have come from the Whitefish Community Foundation Alida Fund and Kramer Family Fund.

The total project cost is $2.5 million.

"Once again, generous Whitefish donors are coming through to support another great community project," fund-raising co-chairperson Carol Atkinson said.

Atkinson has been involved with several other successful community projects, including the ice arena, O'Shaughnessy Center, Smith Youth Sports complex, and most recently The Wave.

The auditorium renovation has been in the works since a bond issue was passed by the community in 2003 to build a new Central School.

The $10.2 million school bond was only enough to build a new school and address the important seismic and safety issues of the current gymnasium and auditorium that were constructed in 1938, school Superintendent Jerry House said.

"At that time, I asked a number of community leaders to help us raise funds to renovate the auditorium for school and community use, and they said yes," House said.

Over the past several years, a thorough planning process has been under way. After an evaluation of performing-arts center architects and engineers from across the country, six were chosen for interviews in 2003.

In spring 2004, the auditorium committee selected the renowned Seattle theatrical design firm of Knudson & Ward, along with Yantis Acoustical Design, as consultants.

Among their recent projects was the new Missoula Children's Theatre in that city's former Central School.

Renovation plans in Whitefish provide for the reopening of the balcony area, all-new seats, a new and more spacious lobby, new restrooms, a larger stage, new wiring, lighting, new elevators to the lobby and stage, and safety features including a new roof and fire sprinklers.

"The project design was carefully chosen to maximize the dollars we thought we could raise to build the best possible performance space for the school and community," committee member Frank Morrison said.

"The schools will be using this new space every weekday and the community will continue to use it on weekends and summers for drama, music, lectures, films and other events."

Volunteers will send out a brochure to every Whitefish area household this week. For more information, contact any of the volunteers or call 862-4225.