COLLEGE RECEIVES REPORT ON FINE ARTS FACILITY

The Strategic Readiness Assessment (SRA) has been returned on the proposed fine arts facility at the Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College.

Following the SRA which surveyed the readiness of the community and region, it was determined by the consultant that key leadership gifts are not available at this time.

The original plan designed by an architect included a beautiful, large performing arts auditorium with premium acoustical effects, along with classrooms and an art gallery. Total cost for the complete facility was estimated at $7 million.

Iowa Lakes has $2 million from Physical Plant funds (generated by the 10-year, 20¼ levy fund supported by citizens in the five-county Iowa Lakes district), a gift from the Mildred Stow Trust and other pledged gifts specifically allocated to this project. The SRA was conducted to determine the chances of raising the needed $5 million from fine arts enthusiasts in the community and surrounding region.

Based on the results of the assessment, the college will continue to explore the possibility of utilizing the Physical Plant funds and secured gifts to build much-needed art classrooms as well as a small art gallery to showcase student projects.

If the college and area artists proceed, the art gallery and classrooms would be connected to the north and west portion of the current Estherville Campus and would be built so that an auditorium could be easily added at a future date should funding sources be identified.