The Wieting Theatre Opera house in Toledo, Iowa. -Chronicle file photo

From: Jim Roan

Project Manager

I am happy to report to all the people, young and old, in South Tama County that Phase II at the Wieting is on its way.

We have just received a grant as of July 6, 2017, from the Wesley and Irene Mansfield Charitable Foundation in the sum of $100,000. We thank the Trustees of this fine Foundation for the grant.

The Project Overview for Phase II is as follows:

An estimated 36′ x 100′ addition matching the present historic theatre and attached to the south side of the theatre. This addition will accommodate an event space for 125 people, more or less, small kitchen, changing/dressing rooms, make-up room and restrooms.

There will be new rigging, safe access to the rigging and allowance for access at the back of the stage as well as new curtains and lighting along with a sprinkler system and basement upgrades.

The fundraising committee along with the help of Katherine Ollendieck of Dysart, Iowa have raised funds from these local Funding Sources:

Cash on hand- 50 donors; Pledges on hand- 15 donors; Savings from profits of the Wieting Theatre Guild; City of Toledo – Motel Tax; Tama County; The State Bank of Toledo; Mansfield Foundation; and In-Kind contributions.

This all means that the Guild and Opera House Trustees have been able to apply before July 15, 2017, for an Enhance Iowa (CAT Grant) of $259,000 more or less.

We will also proceed with our Capital Campaign and with Regional Grant applications.

It is the plan at this time to proceed with construction in the summer, fall and winter of 2018 and have a new dedication in the spring of 2019. This new energy in the theatre may even bring the ghost of Ella Wieting back into the historic theatre.

We have received help and letters of support from the following:

County of Tama; The Great Places in Tama County: To Wit: Wieting Theatre, Traer Salt and Pepper Gallery, Dysart Historical Center and Otter Creek Lake and Park Nature Center. This support comes through Heath Kellogg, Executive Director of Tama County Economic Development Commission.; City of Toledo; City of Tama; South Tama County School Board; The Wieting Theatre Board of Trustees and Officers; The Wieting Theatre Guild and over 125 volunteers (Note: No salaries of payments of any kind are paid to the Trustees, Guild members or volunteers); The Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce; Business and Community Leaders; and Community organizations.

There is an old saying that “No good deed goes unpunished.” Please call me if you have any questions at 641-751-6822. I will get back to you as soon as I have finished my 18 holes of golf. Thanks to all of those who have given to this project and who will give or make pledges in the future.

We do this for all of South Tama County, for Tama County, for our older citizens, for our young people who are our future and to make our area and attractive venue for all of the State of Iowa.

See ya at the Wieting!

Jim