Central College highlighted the changes to Douwstra Auditorium at an open house Tuesday.
Major Gifts Officer Doyle Monsma tells KNIA/KRLS News the $2.2 million transformation has turned the space into a state of the art concert hall.
“The building is included on Pella’s historic landmarks list. We are thrilled with the renovation, which honors the facility’s historic relevance, while also providing improved space and technology to serve Central’s students and staff and the greater Pella community,” says Monsma.
The renovations, which began in December, include:
-Visually-striking interior
-New seating
-Acoustical improvements
-Window shading system
-State-of-the-art sound, lighting and multimedia systems
-Digital multi-track audio recording system
-Video projector and retractable projection screen
-Assistive listening system
-Lighted art sculpture
The second phase of the project calls for the installation of a hand-crafted Casavant Freres pipe organ.
Private donors provided all the funding for the renovated space, including a $1.2 million lead gift from the James ’66 and Beatrice Minium Hoekstra ’64 estate. The auditorium, located in the college’s Central Hall, was constructed in 1939.
Originally designed as a chapel, Douwstra Auditorium serves as a gathering place for music, the arts, conferences and guest speakers. Hear more about the Douwstra Auditorium renovation at Central College on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.