Webster City Community Theatre board members have approved a preliminary proposal for a major expansion of their Willson Avenue venue. The plan calls for an addition to the west side that would add more than 6,000-square feet of space on three levels.
The extra space would relieve crowded areas from attic to basement, WCCT?officials said. The building is bursting with costumes, props, lighting equipment, and set pieces accumulated from some 75 productions staged over the past 20 years of occupancy.
The plan would also add off-street parking west of the new addition to make theater access easier for patrons.
Article Photos
- Submitted photo
This is a sketch of the proposed addition to the Webster City Community Theatre building from architect Tom Wollan of FRK Architects-Engineers in West Des Moines. The expansion will add more than 6,000-square feet of space on three levels.
"We're excited," said Abby Sturtevant, president of WCCT, a group which has been a fixture in the community for more than 40 years. "It's been a long-time dream that's now coming true."
The impetus for the project came from WCCT patron Helen Johnson, who bequeathed $100,000 to the group in her will. That was enough to buy the house next door, clear the lot and leave enough seed money to start the building project. The next step will be to finalize the plan and conduct a fund raising drive to complete the expansion, officials said.
"Our goal is to raise $150,000 in the coming months," said Sturtevant. "We will finalize an information package and get it out to folks in and around the Webster City area in early 2012."
A successful fund raising campaign 20 years ago enabled the theatre group to buy and renovate a former church to establish a permanent home. Since then, WCCT has relied on income from shows, memberships, rental use, donations, bequests, and grants to maintain and improve the building, theater officials said. Grant funding has come from such sources as Project Main Street, Enhance Hamilton County Endowment Fund and the Hotel/Motel tax.
WCCT's status as a non-profit organization makes contributions tax deductible, says building committee chair Doug Getter. Those who would like to help get the building project started this tax year, may send donations to:? WCCT, P.O. Box 272, Webster City, IA 50595. Contact Getter at 832-6493 for more information.