February 27, 2015 5:00 pm
Published by Michael
Progress: Performing arts center construction advances
By MAX FILBY
STAFF WRITER
The director of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is already looking at lining up gigs for the new facility.
Jim Kreutzberg traveled to New York in late 2014 to start looking into what kind of performances the center could offer visitors.
“We’re always looking to see who’s coming through,” he said.
The trick, Kreutzberg said, is to see what performance groups and shows are traveling through the Midwest already. Kreutzberg is frequently in contact with arts centers in cities in Indiana and Illinois to see if any performers can make a stop in Findlay, too.
The doors to the new $17 million center could open as early as December of this year, Kreutzberg said. “If you’re not growing, you’re dying and this community is definitely expanding.”
A new area of the center is yet to be constructed and will include classrooms, areas for performers to rehearse, an art gallery and a black box theater.
The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is on track to be one of the largest facilities in the area, with close to 1,000 seats in the auditorium.
Marathon Chief Executive Officer Gary Heminger and his wife, Jane, are co-chairs of the fundraising committee for the arts center and he agrees with Kreutzberg on what it will mean for the community.
“This performing arts center is critical to the growth and prosperity of this community,” Heminger said.
The center will host touring performances that were too large for the original Central school auditorium, said Kathy Kreuchauf, an arts center board member.
The new center will have a full back stage, including fly space above and wings beside the stage.
The fly space will harbor scenery on frames and cables, lighting, and rigging to raise and lower the lighting. The stage’s wings will allow for more room to quickly move performers on and off stage, Kreuchauf said.
The new arts center is being designed by RCM Architects of Findlay, headed by W. joined the list of major donors to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts in November.
The center’s balcony will be named in honor of Cooper to recognize the donation. To date, more than 30 businesses have contributed nearly $6 million.
These businesses include: American Electric Power Foundation; Ball Corp.; CBRE Tech Services; Centrex Plastics; Citizens National Bank; Commercial Savings Bank; Hancock County Community Foundation“>Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Dietsch Brothers Family; Eastman and Smith; Fifth Third Bank; Findlay Inn and Conference Center; First Federal Bank; Friends Business Solutions; Fluor; Gardner Brothers; Gilmore Jasion Mahler; G.S.W. “We’re so lucky to have them here in Findlay.”
The Hancock County Community Foundation“>Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation provided $300,000 in funding for the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The foundation awarded $200,000 toward renovation and construction costs, and $100,000 for a permanent endowment.
“The performing arts center is something we put a lot of time and effort into,” said foundation President Kathy Kreuchauf.
In addition to the $300,000 in funding, the foundation accepted another $800,000 in gifts for the arts center, which were “passed through to that campaign. Ronald Tuttle: GOD LOVE AND KEEP YOU RON AND PAT…Carol Seidel Bryant: Carol was a great, strong willed,’tell it like it …Rachel Neff: where are the additional details?…Rocko Bord: So if alcohol is abused by everyone first, would s…David Peters: How about moving the kids out of Northview and int…Debbie Lynn: Till we meet again my friend. U are gone but neve…Amanda Hall: You will be missed by all…Alan Lawrence: The brighter orange is fine, but the dog is too cu…Don Iliff: Drug dealers will love this.