Can you believe it? Renovations to the city auditorium are finished and what a sight!
The integrity of the 70-year-old auditorium was not compromised in the making of a large meeting room and reception area this town sorely needed.
Patrons of USD 408 have a fabulous performing arts center. But when that building was constructed, there was less use for the city auditorium.
In the meantime, Marion Advancement Campaign had tried to get a movie theater and community center off the ground but it just didn’t work. Instead, the group took on the auditorium renovation project and what a great success.
MAC is planning an open house with visitors voting on holiday table settings and Christmas tree decorations. Some may remember something similar to this at least 10 years ago, organized by Marion Chamber of Commerce. One year it was in the Suffield building on Main Street and the next it was in the former library space before it became city offices.
What fun it will be to see other people’s décor and celebrate the new life being breathed into the historic auditorium.
The new community center will be the center of attention again — just as it was 70 years ago when it opened. This center will not only be a benefit to the Marion community, it will the entire county. Marion is already the center for business and activities. And now, we have this wonderful building that will be available for receptions, seminars, meetings, and dinners.
I hope this encourages other people to consider donating to MAC to help the non-profit organization renovate the next area on their list — the city building basement and kitchen.
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A faithful reader called this past week and asked when the city’s bond for dredging the sewer pond is paid, will sewer charges decrease?
He brought up a good point. So many times we see rates increase for new things — electrical lines, clear well at the water plant — but when those things are paid, we don’t see a decrease.
It’s similar to having a second job for a while. When the second job ends, we’re used to that extra income and it’s difficult to change our habits to accommodate the lower income.
Wouldn’t it be great if after 20 years, when the sewer pond bond is paid, the city was able to reduce the sewer charges? However, in 20 years, it’s hard telling what we’ll be paying in charges.
— susan berg