SMS auditorium talks underway

Ed Storm, one of nine firm principals for FEH Associates Inc., opened their discussions by telling school board members about several remodeling and historic renovation projects his Sioux City-based architectural firm has completed over the years, one of which was the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. As Storm transitioned to his firm's proposed facility study work regarding the renovation of the former Spencer High School building, he commented that the building is in "good shape" yet, and restoring its "historical aspect" shouldn't pose a problem. While he explained its terrazzo is relatively crack-free, Storm cautioned that finding period-appropriate seating for its interior, as well as addressing its existing mechanical and electrical workings might pose a "challenge."

As discussion shifted toward the up-to $60,000 facility study offered by FEH, Schuler Shook of Minneapolis and Ulteig Engineering of Sioux Falls, Storm encouraged board members to seriously contemplate completion of a schematic design. This, he explained, would allow them to attach more accurate preliminary dollar amounts to each potential design or project. The Friends representatives attending the meeting -- Julie Schmidt and Ann Holck -- mentioned this would help their group to begin creating marketing tools for future fund-raising efforts.

It was clear Wednesday that financing the study and the proposed remodeling and renovation project continues to create wariness among board members and district representatives. As board member David Schlichtemeier informed Storm that the Spencer Community Theatre, located one block from the district's administrative offices and two blocks from the old SMS building, is in the midst of a $1.2 million fund-raising campaign aimed at remodeling and renovating its facility, peer Dean Mechler maintained there shouldn't be an overlap in usage. But he added there could be in potential donors. To this, Schmidt mentioned the Friends group, which was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in May, is planning to target grants and donations from alumni.

Even though Storm told board members that FEH, Schuler Shook and Ulteig Engineering had dropped their combined fee for the facility study by $10 - $15,000, negotiations aimed at possibly decreasing the cost even further continued.

Storm eventually told those gathered that they were "willing to invest" some more of their services in the project, and tentatively dropped the facility study fee to $45,000.

As monetary comments continued between the parties, board member Barb Van Wyk mentioned that if they were building a new, state-of-the-art facility, they wouldn't be attempting to get the best of things for minimal dollars. She then asked her peers around the board table if they were going to make the old SMS a state-of-the-art facility or build something new, in reference to a new fine arts complex also being discussed locally by district representatives.

"Nothing, really, can happen for five years with the way budgeting is in place," Ebeling told the board.

To which Schlichtemeier replied, "The human cry for the community to build a new theater is growing dimmer and dimmer."

When questioned about how much he'd guess the proposed SMS project to cost, Storm said the Orpheum Theatre project ran approximately $4,000 per seat a few years ago. With inflation, he projected Spencer's auditorium renovation might run as much as $6,000 per seat. He then calculated Spencer's approximately 850-seat theater project, including renovations to the back of its auditorium's stage, might cost anywhere from $3 - $6 million.

"This building has been very well cared for," Storm said. "So, some of the issues we deal with in other theater renovations aren't here -- because it's already been done ahead of time. Structurally, the building seems to be in very good condition; so we're probably going to be at the low end of that range. But we're very, very early in determining anything (costwise yet). ... That's part of the idea behind the study: To not only deal with the future functioning and use of the building, but also to put a reasonable price on the building that the group can use for fund raising."

As discussion moved toward which party would actually commit money to the specific projects outlined, board members asked Storm to prepare cost estimates for a list of potential items to be tackled. District representatives agreed to potentially support costs associated with addressing the building's existing heating and electrical systems, expansion of the back stage area, condition of the on-stage rigging, the working mechanical/electrical relationships and their accessibility between the auditorium and the rest of the building to the west, plumbing and restroom matters not meeting code, accessibility to and in the building, potential fire code issues, as well as the condition of the building's roof and structure.

In turn, the Friends were tentatively assigned responsibility for raising funds associated with potential costs for air conditioning, restoring the historical aspects of the building to the look of when it was built in the 1930s, and updated theatrical uses for the building, including dressing rooms, a stage extension, lighting upgrades and power requirements for the stage area.

"I think the thing that impressed me the most about the group's discussion this morning was that there's very much a cooperative effort going on between the two to make this a successful, win-win situation," Storm said following the meeting. "That's kind of what the list is about: To start discussions as to where the line of responsibility is, and to make it a good team."

Additional conversation and action on the estimates Storm presents are expected during the Spencer school board's Aug. 26 meeting.

* In action taken Wednesday morning, board members authorized district officials to spend up to $40,000 for two used vehicles -- a 2008 Ford Fusion and a 2008 Grand Caravan -- and to remove at least one vehicle -- a 1994 Ford XLT Club Wagon with 146,716 miles on it -- from the district's fleet.