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Shakeup on SOPA board
4/20/09
Reflecting a renewed emphasis on fund raising for the construction of a performing arts center in Estes Park, changes have been made in the leadership of the center’s primary booster organization, Supporters of the Performing Arts.
Jerry Rutledge, a major contributor and summertime resident of Estes Park, replaces Chris Wood as chairman of the SOPA board. Ronald Wilcocks was elected vice chairman. Wood switches to a paid staff position as campaign coordinator.
“I'm excited to serve as your new Chairman,” Rutledge told SOPA board members in an email. “But I won't presume to try to run things from a distance. Ron will do a great job in my absence. Chris is really devoted to the cause and I think will get the gift ball rolling. And I believe that together we'll make this thing go.”
Rutledge said he would be making suggestions from time to time as the fund raising campaign progresses. “I've never been accused of keeping my mouth shut and I don't expect I can start at this stage in my life,” he said.
Rutledge spent 40-years as President and CEO of Waseca Mutual Insurance Co. of Waseca, MN. He also was a director of two other insurance companies and a director of the Minnesota Insurance Federation for 25 years. He’s been a hospital trustee, a historical district board member, was a Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Trustee 1998-2000, and served as president and director of the Waseca Arts Council. He’s been coming to Estes Park since he was a child. His family formerly owned Loveland Heights Cottages.
Jerry and Linda Rutledge are major donors to the performing arts center. “We are very interested in seeing a Performing Arts Center in Estes Park. It would be a lovely addition to our community,” said Rutledge.
Other members of the SOPA board are Rodney J. Rawson, treasurer; Lynette Johnson, secretary; James Broomfield, tax consultant; Grieg Steiner, member-at-large; and the newest board member, Robert Gunn, member-at-large.
The only other paid staff member besides Wood is Kay Kirkman, who handles grant applications.
Wood called the change in leadership of SOPA a “natural step in progression.”
“We needed someone to give advice to the board on the campaign. We have a huge challenge in front of us,” said Wood. “Continuing to serve as chairman did not do us justice. It made sense to put Jerry Rutledge in as chairman because he‘s already committed $150,000 to the Performing Arts Center. He has the wherewithal to approach other individuals – possible large donors -- simply because he has given at that level. He also has an extensive background with community development. He’s been very involved in his Minnesota community in raising funds for a water park. It was a similar size project, so he brings that expertise to the board. He’s not afraid to tell people why Estes Park needs this.”
Wood said Rutledge comes to the SOPA board with an extensive background in business and would be “an economic generator.”
Wood also sees the Performing Arts Center as an economic engine. “This PAC will basically improve our quality of life,” said Wood. “It shows a cultural value added to the community. Studies have shown cultural arts actually adds value to homes in an area.”
The SOPA board is now in the process of targeting potential major contributors to building the Performing Arts Center. “We’re still looking for those big donors, but if we could get 60% or more participation by the community as a whole that would be tremendous,” said Wood. “If everyone can give something, that says a lot to investors and grant writers that this community really wants this.”
The SOPA board recently approved a new exterior design for the Performing Arts Center after hearing complaints that it just didn’t measure up to community standards. Architects Roger Thorp and Mark Elrod and the Building/Design Committee held a series of meetings and invited comments from the community in re-designing the center.
“The new redesign is an example of community involvement in the PAC,” stressed Wood.
As campaign coordinator, Wood faces a difficult challenge – raising $5-million in the midst of the most serious economic decline since the Great Depression.
“I think these next several months, regardless of the economy, will be critical in going forward,” explained Wood. “A capital campaign loses energy over a long period of time. The race is on to get pledges in place. We’d really like to have the $5-million by the end of this year. If it goes into 2010, I don’t think we’re hurt, we’ll just continue doing our work. Eventually we will have the long awaited center. Patience and determination are crucial. We have time constraints on some pledges and if we don’t (get the $5-million) – that money goes away.”
Wood said around $600,000 of what has been pledged is under time constraints.
Wood said he also will work to build strong support from the various arts groups in Estes Park. “I have a good working relationship with the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies as well as Oratorio Society and we want others like the Village Band, Chamber Singers, and other performing groups to become more actively involved. Redesigning the exterior look of the PAC has really helped. I hear people say, ‘I really like it. It’s a big improvement.’ Now, it’s time for those individuals who have expressed concerns over design to put their money where their mouth is. I don’t care if it’s just $10 or $20 – community participation and ownership will be key to the success of the project.”
Donors can purchase naming rights to various elements of the Performing Arts Center. Everything from the name of the center itself for $2.5-million to individual seats at $500 a piece are available for naming rights. A more extensive list may be found on the SOPA website. www.estesparktheater.com. There you can also take a virtual tour of the PAC and see architectural drawings of what the center will look like.
The Town of Estes Park has committed to spending close to a million dollars on site preparation, parking, and lighting. That has to be matched by $5-million raised privately before the center becomes a reality.
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Submitted by: Doug Fox
SOPA Publicity Committee
970-586-8050
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