A bit more than routine maintenance is being tackled at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center over the summer. THE BOILER is an original part of the center, built in 1964, and Raines said it has fully outlived its expected lifespan of 35 years. ACOUSTIC IMPROVEMENTS to the building have been organized through a unique program in conjunction with the KU architecture program. THE RISERS in the band room, utilized by Iola Middle School and high school, have been an area of contention for band directors over the past several years. RAINES SAID all of these projects are going to improve the experience for everyone involved in the Bowlus’ classes and programs, which have been increasing in recent months.
There are four projects on-deck for the center in coming months. The boiler is being replaced, flooring in Creitz Recital Hall is being replaced and the risers in the band room are being removed. Also, students from the University of Kansas are providing a design report on improvements for acoustics throughout the center.
Director Susan Raines said the Friends of the Bowlus and USD 257 will pay for the new boiler, while the Friends will pick up the other expenses. Besides being a premiere venue for musical and theatrical productions, the Bowlus also provides classrooms and practice facilities for USD 257 students.
The Friends will have moved past the $1.1 million-mark in funds given to the Center since the group was created in October of 1991.
“They (the Friends) have received some wonderful gifts in the past couple of years,” she said.
Raines said the center, which was the first rural fine arts center in Kansas, has received an incredible amount of support from different groups throughout the years.
“We are really in a wonderful position that we have a community that supports us so willingly,” Raines said.
This year, the City of Iola agreed to direct 1 mill in property taxes to the Center. That equates to $31,900 a year, up from its previous $25,000 annual donation.
Allen County commissioners have approved $2,500 a year to the Center and have been approached to dedicate a percentage of a mill to the Center. The county will determine its budget next month.
The Friends of the Bowlus and USD 257 have agreed to split the cost of the boiler, which is $128,784 total — $64,392 for each entity.
The boiler is being installed by Henderson Engineers out of Lenexa. The removal and installation costs are included in the project, which Raines said will be no small task. The old boiler will be cut apart and removed by crane through the west-side maintenance entrance to the Bowlus. The new boilder will be installed through the same opening. Raines said the installation work will be done in late July or early August.
The new system will have two boilers, giving a backup system if one were to fail. Raines said the current system only has one, which could lead to possible issues in winter months.
“If the current boiler were to fail, we couldn’t have any classes or programs in the building,” she said.
Bob Coffeen, a professor with the university, has a yearly studio program with his students — the Bowlus is this year’s selection. The students have already been in the building to shoot sound waves, which allows them to decide which acoustic designs will accommodate the facility in the best manner.
“We were really lucky to hook up with them,” Raines said. “We reap the benefits of the information, and they reap the benefits of a real-life project.”
She said there is no cost to the Bowlus for the students’ work, which would be around $8,000 for a professional firm. While the students are only providing information, designs and reports — which will be given this afternoon — it will be essential when the time for installation comes next summer.
“The past six band directors have made some sort of comment about getting those risers out of there,” Raines said.
The current director for both schoools, Matt Kleopfer, was successful in getting the removal into action.
“You’ve got to practice the same way you perform,” Kleopfer said. “We don’t perform in a setting where there are risers.”
He said the risers also limit the way the space is utilized, and it forces him to split some of his orchestra sections during practices. With no risers, he will be able to easily fit the band — which is currenly experiencing a growth spurt.
“They used fit 100-piece orchestras in here,” Kleopfer said. “It won’t be long ’til we’re back there.”
He said he and Raines went before the USD 257 school board, to request financial assistance for the removal of the risers, floor tiles and the installation of new acoustic-rated flooring. The total cost is just under $25,000.
The Creitz Recital Hall is the final project for the summer on the Bowlus’ to-do list.
The tiles, which contain asbestos, are beginning to split and rise along the floor, making an unsightly appearance and creating tripping hazards for those entering the room.
The tiles will be removed and replaced for between $18,000 and $19,000.
She said the Yates Center dance group, The Studio, held its recital for the first time in the Bowlus on Saturday, which filled more than 600 seats in the auditorium.
Conversations are in-motion with Burlington’s dance studios for recitals next year. She said there is no fine arts center within 80 miles that matches the caliber of the Bowlus.
“There’s nothing of our size that has the low ticket prices and programming that we have,” Raines said.
Programs draw people from across the area and state. Raines estimates 75 percent of the programs are held at no-charge.
“It’s nothing for us to have 30 different zip codes and more for a program,” she said.
Raines is currently looking for additional avenues to raise funds for capital improvements, one of which is through their new 50 for 50 program. It asks alumni to contribute $50 for five years, or for a donation of $250 up-front.
“If we get all of our alumni to do that, we could have another million dollars in our fund,” Raines said.
She said the Bowlus, like many other fine arts centers, needs it more than ever.
More than routine maintenance
