Constructed prior to the pandemic, Benson’s performing arts center was designed for the future with its multi-camera streaming system. With this already installed, there were only minor adjustments needed to stream its events. Tim Speier / West Central Tribune
Performing arts centers built with more than just students in mind BY TIM SPEIER West Central Tribune
As more and more people look to leave their houses, the Benson and New London-Spicer communities hope to bring those who are eager for entertainment into their performing arts centers. After both school districts found themselves without a sustainable way for their students to perform or for their districts to host events, they proposed buildings that would not only suit the needs of their students but also the needs of their communities. The New London-Spicer School District, not having an auditorium at the school, was using its gym and a community theater, the Little Theatre in New London,
for performances and gatherings. In 1993, the idea of building a performing arts center was conceived. Although it took some time and a few changes to the proposals, the center was completed and first used during the 20172018 school year. In 2017, the Benson School District found itself in limbo, needing to make a choice after the auditorium roof collapsed — whether to repair the outdated auditorium or build a new one. Benson Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer spoke about how the 1928-vintage auditorium lacked many of the essentials the district wanted for its
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students and the community. “There was a need for the school to have something,” said Laumeyer, “but it was definitely community-driven, and community-supported.” Both districts heard from and worked with their communities to not only provide a space that students would be proud to perform on, but also one that could be utilized by the community. The New London-Spicer Performing Arts Center has hosted community meetings, banquets and political roundtables, said Paula Prill, the facility manager and an NLS teacher. “Our rental rates are very, very
