Center For Performing Arts Unveiled With Ribbon Cutting

Emilie Jenson, Public Information Office
4/19/2024

Anticipation was building on the Iowa Central Campus Friday afternoon as a crowd gathered outside the newly renovated Decker Auditorium and Center for Performing Arts as it opened its doors to the community for the first time in nearly two years.

Prior to the Grand Opening Celebration, an official ribbon cutting with the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance commemorated the event.

“We wish to extend a huge congratulations to Iowa Central, The Iowa Central Board, Dr. Ulrich, the Decker Family, the students and most importantly, our community,” said Matt Johnson, speaking on behalf of the Growth Alliance. “This space will not only enhance the lives of students here, but also the families of this community for years to come.”

With a countdown, Teresa Jackson, director of theatre at Iowa Central, cut the ribbon with golden scissors to the cheers and applause of Iowa Central faculty, staff and students, community members, donors, and board members.

“All I can say is that it feels like Christmas in April,” said Jackson. “We got what we have wanted for our students, for our staff, and for our community. Decker Auditorium has been the anchor of our campus and Iowa Central is part of the heartbeat of our community. Our team is overwhelmed with gratitude. We have given this ‘grand old dame’ the most beautiful facelift and it is now a stunning gift of a space we want to share with all of you: the community, the businesses, the amateurs and professional performers. We are going to unravel this beautiful space that we will treasure and safeguard for years to come. Thank you beyond measure.”

Iowa Central President Dr. Jesse Ulrich said the $14.5 million project was the first major renovation to the auditorium since it was constructed nearly 50 years ago.  It was funded by both public and private funds.  Approximately $3 million in private donations were raised in the first phase of the “Dream Big, Act Now” Campaign. An additional $3 million was set aside from a 2018 $25.5 million bond issue to assist with the project.

“This was truly a private/public partnership,” Ulrich said. “And why did we do it? It would have been easy to do a lot of different things with $14.5 million, but our community believes in the fine arts, our community believes that our students deserve to come to college and have a college experience with a mini university feel where they can take their passions and be on stage and perform at a higher level.”

Ulrich went on to say that the 1,100-seat facility is the largest performance venue in Iowa Central’s nine-county region.

“We didn’t just build it for our students,” he said. “Over 50,000 people go through this building every year. It is the cornerstone of our campus, the most public building we have. It is part of the community.”

Don and Dianne Decker of Fort Dodge made the lead gift to the campaign with a $1 Million donation.  The auditorium has bore the Decker Family name since 2006. Decker credited his parents, the late Dale and Donna Decker, for having the vision to invest in Iowa Central and what it offers to Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities.

“It is truly gratifying to see what was started by my parents 40 years ago carry on today,” said Don Decker. “Adding to their vision and seeing it become bigger and better than their original wishes is a dream come true.”

Inside the Center for Performing Arts, freshman Elle Clark, who will portray Belle in Iowa Central’s upcoming production of “Beauty and the Beast," delivered the first performance on the stage in the newly revamped auditorium.

“It is one of the highest honors I have ever had to be able to be the first to set the stage and welcome everyone who will come through these doors,” said Clark.

The new space includes a state-of-the-art sound system, acoustic paneling, upgraded lighting controls, new seating, expanded dressing rooms, 16 new restroom fixtures, an updated orchestra pit, a new catwalk, a band room, set building shop, classroom and meeting spaces, an elevator and ADA compliant seating and stage access.

“It is an absolute dream come true,” said Paul Bloomquist, director of bands at Iowa Central.

“We are so happy to be back home,” said Will Lopes, Iowa Central director of choral activities. “We can not wait to express our gratitude to the community through our talents for many years to come.”