Civic Center receives Maeck Foundation donation

The city of Idaho Falls has accepted a $257,000 gift from the William J. and Shirley A. Maeck Family Foundation.

The money will help purchase and install a new mechanical orchestra lift for the Idaho Falls Civic Center and replace an antiquated manual lift that is there now. The cost of the new lift is expected to be around $303,000. The difference is expected to be met by projected savings during the initial improvement phase of the project.

“Bill and Shirley always loved the symphony, and the lift is something that they envisioned could be a real benefit to the facility,” said City of Idaho Falls Municipal Services Director Pam Alexander. “The generosity of the Maeck Foundation to make this possible is just a wonderful example of their continuing commitment to helping bring the arts that Bill and Shirley loved so much to our entire community.”

Renovation of the center is currently in its first phase. That work includes new paint and seating, refinished flooring, sound wall installation and new wall coverings. Still to come are a lighting dimming system, updated marquee, and acoustical improvements.

The project was slowed some when a sub-contractor failed to provide new seating. A substitute was found and the project remains on schedule.