by Eileen Ringnalda
Communications Intern
Iowa State University Extension to Communities
The crown jewel of the community of Grundy Center has been polished once again to make it shine all the brighter.
Almost nine years after the Center Theater was taken over by community shareholders in 1986, another renovation was completed in 1995 to improve the safety and attractiveness of the theater. The front portion was gutted to rebuild the ticket booth and concession stand and provide accessible rest rooms. All the renovations, from new seats and equipment to the latest improvement in the lobby, were made possible by volunteers.
During the past two years under direction of a new board of directors and manager, the Center Theatre has maintained a positive, strong day to day operation. Jerry Bakker of Grundy Center is president of the group and the theater is managed on a daily basis by Frances (Fred) Stahl. The Center Theatre brought in 64,000 people last year in a community of 2,700.
A membership campaign that had attracted 842 members at $15 each by May of this year allowed the purchase of a new Dolby Digital Sound System. The new system provides sound more like real life, clearer positioning of all sound at all times, cleaner dialogue, more lifelike atmospheres, quiet effects and more accurate music reproduction. Included in long range goals for future improvements are exterior and interior insulation, screen masking, a new and expanded sound system, aisle carpeting, aisle floor lighting and a gradual upgrade and replacement of seats.
This past January a brochure "Movie Facts" was published for the first time. This guide, sponsored by the Center Theatre and local businesses with advertising, is printed bi-monthly and 5,000 are distributed throughout the community. The guide includes current movies that may be coming to the Center Theatre, including the rating, movie subject and stars of the film.
"The community really feels it's a sign of a progressive community. People like the theater and they want to keep it, so theyÕre willing to make a contribution," said a member of the Center Theater advisory committee and the fund drive committee.
The community's contribution has allowed the theater to charge only 99 cents per ticket for every show. The concessions also are a bit cheaper than other movie theaters, but the theater depends on concession sales to break even. Shortly after the Center Theater re-opened, money was tight and they raised admission to $2.50, but there was a backlash in the community.
"People had given their time and resources for a 99 cent theater. Members have been willing to make annual renewal donations [to keep admission at 99 cents]. People also volunteer to take tickets, work concession and clean up afterwards," board members said.
The theater project has been a benefit to the community in several ways, according to board members.
"We think the theater has been an asset not only for our young people and adults, but we know that it brings people from the outside in to Grundy Center," one member said.
Another agreed that the theater has brought economic development to the town.
"People may not buy on the night they visit, but they notice the downtown and may come back again. They stop in at our restaurants, and car dealers have told me that customers have come back and bought cars that they saw in the lot while driving by to go to the theater," she said.
"People recognize the community as the place with the 99-cent theater. Not only are people proud of the theater and enjoy the entertainment, but it is symbolic to our commitment to be a progressive community," she said.
The community has taken on several volunteer projects that have been successful in addition to the theater project. The community has worked together on park improvements and to build a gazebo on the courthouse lawn.
"Community spirit is terrific once you get a project going, and the community spirit here is great. It brings our people together, and it's good for young people to grow up in a community like ours and learn volunteerism. It helps our children understand what it takes to make communities strive and survive and be successful," a board member said.
He added that a successful project requires a lot of planning and a good organizational structure. A good finance chairperson and planning chairperson are essential in addition to volunteers with special abilities and technical knowledge to lead the work effort.
Grundy CenterÕs community spirit combined with the commitment to volunteer projects ensures that the 99 cent theater will continue to be the center of this small townÕs survival.
Contacts:
Terry L. Besser, ISU
Extension Sociology, (515) 294-6508
Del Marks, ISU Extension
Communication Systems, (515) 294-9807
