Feb 8, 2007 7:21 am US/Central
Fairmont Sprucing Up For Sesquicentennial
Fairmont, Minn. (AP) ―
When the roof of the historic Fairmont Opera House was in danger of collapse several years ago, residents dug into their pockets and raised enough money to save the structure.
Now, with Fairmont's sesquicentennial celebrations looming, the Opera House's endowment committee is making another appeal so it can put the best face possible on the building for the city's 150th anniversary.
Managing director Michael Burgraff explained that several worthwhile projects in town were competing for funds when the roof needed fixing, so the Opera House board made a conscious decision then to just make sure that the building was safe.
"The board now feels it is time to go ahead and put this facility into good shape cosmetically," he said.
The committee's goal is $100,000 in relatively short order. Businesses and individuals have agreed to provide matching funds of $35,000, to be applied at 50 cents for every donated dollar.
Fundraising committee member Bryan Sweet said a contractor is lined up to begin work in late May and complete the job by late June.
"They are committed to getting the work done, but technically there is no money yet," he said.
Donations may be sent to: FOH Standing Ovation, P.O. Box 226, Fairmont MN 56031. Checks should be made out to FOH Standing Ovation.
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