Editorial

Seat project will improve city auditorium

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Have you ever sat on a backless, hard-board bleacher during a two-hour show? If you have been seated in the balcony at the McCook Memorial Auditorium you know how it feels, because the board bleachers have been in use throughout the seven decades the auditorium has been in existence.

"I can't believe we have put up with the hard seats for this long," said Missy Nelson, who is spearheading a campaign to purchase 534 comfortable, high-tech seats for placement at the auditorium.

To accomplish the goal, the "Share-a-Seat Committee" will need help from businesses and individuals throughout the community. Cost of the seating is $85 each. Nelson feels that is well worth the money, as the no-break plastic seats will "cradle your body while giving support."

If you would like to see what the seats look like, stop by the Country Kitchen Restaurant at 606 West B Street. One of the seats will be on display throughout the week. "We will be moving it from business to business in coming weeks, because we want as many people as possible see how sturdy and comfortable the seats are," Nelson said.

Total cost for the seating project will be $45,390, which Nelson feels is a small price to pay for the amount of good the project will do for many years to come.

The "Share-a-Seat Committee" is working on a deadline, hoping to raise enough money between now and Oct. 31 to place the order for the seats.

Those wishing to donate may send their contributions to Share-a-Seat, in care of the McCook Community Foundation, P.O. Box 626, McCook, NE 69001. Seats cost $85 each, but gifts of any amount will be appreciated.

"We hope to be far along towards our goal by Heritage Days (in late September), but we will keep going through October," she said.

Members of the Evangelical Free Church became aware of the need for auditorium seating in planning for the Women's Winter Retreat, set for Jan. 20-21. More room is needed this year, because it will feature noted author Dee Brestin of Kearney and national Christian recording artist Kathy Troccoli.

Soon thereafter, the "Share-a-Seat Committee" was formed and plans for the fund drive took shape.

In addition to Nelson, the campaign committee includes Roxann Owens and Joan Stewart. "We would be happy to have others join us in the effort," Nelson said. All that's needed to volunteer is a call to Missy at (308) 345-7441. She may also be contacted by e-mail at nelson@mccooknet.com.

By helping with the campaign, the committee members say laughingly -- but seriously -- that you will not only be sharing a seat with others, you also will be sparing your own seat from the hard board bleachers at the auditorium.

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