As part of opening night for "Anne of Green Gables" at Spencer Community Theatre Friday evening, members of the SCT staff and administration announced plans for a $1 million-plus effort to renovate the existing facility which has housed a wide variety of entertainment and events over the years.

"The foundation for success is being laid. Now we need hundreds of supporters to make the proposed $1.2 million SCT renovation project a reality," said Merlyn Winther, Theatre board member and a leader of the effort to raise $700,000 in gift support that will be added to a $500,000 Dvergsten Foundation grant.

Theatre leadership announced at the opening of the theatre's spring production that just over $300,000 has been committed to the project.

"We are being very positively received through our strategic leadership gift effort," said Deb Mechler, Theatre Board Chairperson. "Everyone realizes that SCT is an asset to our area. It touches a broad cross-section of people through its volunteers, programming, and performances."

The proposed renovation is designed to enhance the Theatre's exterior, provide a better experience for audience members, and add functionality for educational programs and performances.

"Our board and staff have sought to maximize the Dvergsten grant by looking forward and strengthening the Theatre's opportunity to be a tremendous asset to the Spencer area for years to come," said Mechler.

Plans include a new street-side entrance and lobby on the western side of the building. An addition on the north side of the existing building will provide space for multiuse and educational areas, new restrooms, a "green" room for make-up and dressing areas, and a new set construction shop. The existing auditorium will be enhanced with a larger stage area, improved sound and lighting, and a seating configuration that will provide better viewing of productions by audience members. "We are seeking to maintain the theatre's wonderful performance atmosphere," said Connie Goeken, SCT Executive Director. "When this is achieved we will have an attractive, cost effective venue that will offer the finest experience for our audience, staff, and volunteers. They are what have made SCT the success it has been over its nearly 50-year run. We are laying the groundwork to make the next 50 even better."

Goeken suggested that the process of developing the new functional facility started long before the Dvergsten funding was announced.

"We had started working on plans to expand or renovate about a year-and-a-half before the Dvergsten monies became available," Goeken acknowledged. "We started that by working with a theatrical designer from Iowa City, Rick Loula. He was recommended to us by Chuck Swanson."

Swanson, a former Spencer resident is currently the director of Hancher Auditorium on the University of Iowa, and has overseen the SPOT program, of which Spencer has been a part, for the past four years..

Goeken added, "We had done, as a board and staff together, a lot of brainstorming. We felt very prepared when the call came out for the Dvergsten money."

When the Dvergsten funding numbers were announced, Goeken said that the project's scale was minimized a bit.

"What we submitted to the Dvergsten, it was a lot larger than it is now. They asked us to submit something really big. If we could have anything," explained Goeken. "When we got the $500,000, we had to scale it back.

"We had a really great framework to work from. It's a lot easier to say, 'Okay this is the big picture, let's scale it down to meet our finances and meet our needs,'" Goeken said.

According to Mechler, the success of the effort is now in the hands of SCT supporters. "The call is out for supporting cast members and crew," said Mechler. "The lives touched through SCT span age and vocation. SCT is truly a positive force in people's lives."

Goeken said that the SCT group who began planning the large scale renovation and remodel figured it was going to have to gain public support to make their dream a reality. We knew we would have to mount a capitol campaign to make it happen, but we never dreamed that half of that would come from one source."

A team of volunteers is in place to encourage gift support from SCT patrons and community members. "We are working hard to reach as many folks as possible," said John Rahn, campaign leader and board member. "This is a good investment for people wanting to enhance and build our community. We invite those who support the mission and enjoy the benefits of SCT to now help reach our $700,000 gift need."

Goeken said that the SCT group who began planning the large scale renovation and remodel figured it was going to have to gain public support to make their dream a reality. We knew we would have to mount a capitol campaign to make it happen, but we never dreamed that half of that would come from one source."

* The SCT Capital Renovation Project website is located at www.sctcampaign.info.