Fundraisers scramble to raise last $1 million

Fundraisers for the Whitefish Middle School auditorium - now known as the Whitefish Performing Arts Center - have regrouped for a final campaign after the recession took a $700,000 bite out of pledges for the new facility.

"Unfortunately, the last few months have been unkind to us and several pledges totaling $700,000 have been withdrawn," said Richard Atkinson, one of the lead fundraisers for the project. "The reasons for the pledge withdrawals have nothing to do with this project, but the economy and personal situations have forced individuals to take these actions."

The new performance hall, considered to be one of the finest in the Northwest, opened in October 2007 to valleywide accolades. The $4.7 million project involved gutting the 1938 school auditorium and creating a 16,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility with seating for 490.

The fundraising team raised and paid off just over $3.2 million and had $1.8 million pledged for a total of $5 million. With projected interest, the overall cost was pegged at $5.3 million.

If all pledges had been honored, fundraisers would have had to raise only $300,000, but now find themselves $1 million short.

"We need $1 million and we need it quickly," Atkinson said.

The fundraising team - John Kramer, Carol and Richard Atkinson, Robert Chambers and David Pickeral - now have launched "The Final Push" and hope to complete the fundraising yet this year. The team members already have given nearly a third of the total amount raised to date.

It's a misconception that the auditorium is used primarily by outside theater groups such as the Alpine Theatre Project, Atkinson said. First and foremost, the facility is a school auditorium, used heavily by elementary, middle- and high-school students.

"The schools get first choice in scheduling and the school year is almost totally dominated by school usage," he said.

Alpine Theatre Project uses the facility heavily during the summer and occasionally during the school year.

Last year the auditorium was used 245 evenings. Middle-school students use it daily to study performing arts.

In these tough economic times, the fundraising team is asking not just adults to sacrifice a little for the cause. They're also asking school children to consider asking parents or relatives for auditorium donations in lieu of birthday or holiday presents.

"Or you can step it up and turn your birthday party into a mini-fundraiser by asking that all of your gifts be checks to the auditorium," Atkinson suggested.

Donors can make a one-time contribution or spread it over two years, giving half in 2009 and half in 2010. To contribute, mail pledges or gifts to Middle School Auditorium Renovation Project, Whitefish School District, P.O. Box 4225, Whitefish, MT 59937.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at [email protected]