Neenah unveils plans for $4.5 million renovation of Pickard AuditoriumNeenah unveils plans for $4.5 million renovation of Pickard Auditorium Neenah, Wisconsin – Pickard Auditorium, a beloved community venue in Neenah, is set to undergo a $4.5 million renovation. The project will be entirely funded through private donations, with no taxpayer dollars involved. Renovation Plans The renovation plans include: * Upgrading seats * Creating a center aisle and accessible seating areas * Installing new acoustics, carpeting, lighting, and heating and cooling systems * Updating the lobby and exterior entrance Funding The district is in the process of organizing a fundraising committee to launch a campaign. The goal is to raise 100% of the project cost through private donations. Timeline If fundraising is successful, construction could begin sometime in 2025. Community Support The renovation plans have been well-received by the community. “The feedback has been very positive,” said county communications manager Jim Strick. “People feel there is a need.” About Pickard Auditorium Pickard Auditorium is located inside Neenah Middle School. It opened in 1972 and has undergone few changes since then. Notable performers who have performed at Pickard include George Benson, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Willie Nelson. Contact Anyone interested in contributing to the fundraising campaign is encouraged to contact Jon Joch, the district’s chief financial officer.
A concept drawing shows the addition of a center aisle in the Pickard Auditorium.
NEENAH — Pickard Auditorium, one of the Neenah community’s cherished venues, is set to undergo a $4.5 million renovation.
There are no tax dollars involved in the project and the Neenah Joint School District will not put the project to a referendum.
“The goal is for it to be 100 percent fundraising,” county communications manager Jim Strick told The Post-Crescent. “That’s the goal right now. We’re in the process of organizing a fundraising committee before we launch a campaign. Nothing has officially started yet, so people can still donate to it.”
If fundraising goes according to plan, the school district could begin construction sometime in 2025.
The renovation of Pickard Auditorium would reflect Neenah’s red and white school colors.
The renovation plans and concept drawings were recently unveiled at a community meeting attended by about 30 people, including representatives from the performing arts community.
“The feedback has been very positive,” Strick said. “People feel there is a need.”
Pickard Auditorium is located inside Neenah Middle School, 1275 Tullar Road. It opened in 1972 and has undergone few changes or upgrades since then. Stars such as George Benson, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, BB King, Howie Mandel, Anne Murray, Willie Nelson, Wayne Newton, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Red Skelton, the Statler Brothers and Roger Whittaker have performed at Pickard in the past.
The lobby would get a new look.
The project will upgrade the seats in Pickard and create a center aisle and accessible seating areas. The auditorium and lobby will get new acoustics, carpeting, lighting, and heating and cooling systems.
The building seats nearly 1,500 people and is similar to Neenah High School’s new Performing Arts Center, which has a capacity of 850, the school district said.
The work will also update the exterior entrance to the recently named Shattuck Performing Arts Center, which includes the lobby and music suites surrounding the auditorium. No major structural changes are part of the plan.
The entrance to the Shattuck Performing Arts Center, which leads to the Pickard Auditorium, would get new accents.
Anyone interested in helping with the fundraising campaign is encouraged to contact Jon Joch, the district’s chief financial officer, at 920-751-6800, extension 10102, or email him at [email protected].
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Neenah unveils plans for $4.5 million renovation of Pickard Auditorium
