The Iola-Scandinavia High School Auditorium Improvement Project reaches a significant milestone this week as school officials announce funding approval for the lighting portion of the renovation, thanks to a groundswell of community support and donations totaling $277,700 so far.
The project, which kicked off with an ambitious fundraising goal of $450,000 to $500,000, is now seeing solid traction thanks to generous donors, local support, and strategic cost-saving measures. The auditorium, originally built in 1979, is long overdue for modern upgrades to lighting, sound, and infrastructure.
At Monday’s school board meeting, the board gave the green light to proceed with the lighting improvements. This approval marks the first phase of the multi-step renovation. “We are rolling along nicely with our fundraising efforts,” said Dale Bestul, program chair. “With the funds already in hand, we are ready to get started with lighting, and we’re hopeful that a little more success in fundraising will allow us to tackle the sound portion as early as this summer.”
Bestul credits the shift away from an initial $415,807 proposal from MainStage out of Milwaukee to more practical and localized bids for helping reduce the overall cost. The new projected total cost of the renovation is now estimated between $350,000 and $400,000, which means the team is already within striking distance of completion.
So far, the following lead donors have stepped forward with major contributions: Krause Foundation $75,000, Musical Sponsorship Program $61,000, Premier Community Bank $25,000, Community Insurance $25,000, Vic and Chris Anthony $25,000, Bestul Family (In Memory of David Bestul) $8,000, Farmers State Bank $5,000, Waupaca Rotary Impact Grant $5,000, Greg Loescher $5,000, Gary and Jane Marx $5,000, Waupaca Foundry $5,000, Don & Anita Faldet $1,000, and Jeannine Harbridge $1,000.
Additionally, the Iola-Scandinavia School District has pledged in-kind support by funding the construction of a new sound and lighting booth, estimated to be worth $25,000 to $30,000.
As crews prepare to renovate the school entrance this summer, Bestul emphasizes the importance of syncing auditorium work with those efforts to capitalize on cost savings. “The more we can do this summer, the better,” he notes.
The next fundraising milestone aims to enable the sound upgrade portion this summer — another key element in enhancing the performing arts space for students and the broader community.
Stay tuned for more updates as this grassroots initiative continues to transform the Iola-Scandinavia auditorium into a state-of-the-art facility.