Summer is here and as the sun comes streaming in our windows, we begin to look back over the last year to see what worked, what didn’t, what you liked and what you’d like to see changed. This is our 34th season and while there are always updates to make; old fixtures that need our attention and care, new items that need to be adjusted or changed – this year our plans include a few particularly fun projects. This is the time of year when we throw ourselves fully into these efforts, looking back over he past year and finding ways to improve our building and our services.

For us, the summer has begun with furious note-taking and compiling sessions, project organization and coordination, and research into how the events and happenings of the last year could be improved.

Of course, some of the changes have been a long time coming. A very long time.

The furniture and décor in our star dressing rooms had been around since the early 1980’s. The seating in the theater was not much better off and the ladies bathrooms always had a really, really long line.

When the Ice Arena went in, we decided it was time to finish updating some other areas of the building. The white, floral print couches and fake wood tables with fake gold trim that were in the green room have been replaced with rich, deep colors on the walls, modern sinks and leather covered benches. Plastic plants and lamps from 1982 were let go and softer, more environmentally friendly lighting went in along with interesting art that matches the theme of each room. We added ADA seats in the theater, as you may have heard already, and extra space for the ladies restrooms to help deal with the lines. We’ve also begun re-structuring and re-roofing LaCroix Hall.

Booking has begun for next year and we already have exciting events and concerts planned for 2011. The Broadway Play series promises a brilliant year of music and dance with upcoming shows like Grease and The Wizard of Oz. Our Rapid City Rush will be at it again and we are proud to host their home games here in our Ice Arena.

Through the coming months you will see us bustling about, preparing our space for the next great season. Stay tuned to the blog for continued updates and information on the progress we’re making and the projects we have in mind.