West Valley gets a huge grant to remodel theater after 30 years use

Packard Foundation to give $250,000 in challenge funds

WVC begins fundraising

By Steve Enders

Ecstatic officials at West Valley College received word on March 17 that the college will be getting up to a quarter of a million dollars from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to refurbish its aging theater.

In response to the pledge, West Valley is starting out on its first-ever fundraising drive in the school's history to match the money promised by the Los Altos-based philanthropic organization. If the school's foundation can come up with another $250,000, the theater will get a $500,000 facelift.

Cynthia Schelcher, West Valley/Mission Community College District dean for advancement will be running the fundraising efforts along with a newly formed community foundation.

"The theater has had more than 30 years of constant use," she said. "West Valley College has never had the financial resources to refurbish it. We're going to be reaching out to the community for the first time ever.

"We've been making friends in this community for 35 years, and now for the first time, they can invest in their college."

Schelcher said the money will be used to bring the heavily used theater up to "industry standards." She said it lacks adequate lighting systems, and is plagued by broken seats, torn curtains and ripped carpets.

"Many facets of the theater are completely inoperable," she said. "This had to happen."She said the college only applied for the grant a few months ago, and some of the money raised will also go to updating safety features throughout the theater.

With state funding all but dried up for projects like this, Schelcher said, money has been hard to come by over the years.

She said the college has already begun drafting letters to be sent out to the community, and is hoping to begin reaching out to alumni as well.

Don Wolfe, WV-MCCD board president, was influential in helping secure the grant from the Packard Foundation.

"It's absolutely delightful, and it presents a challenge for us," he said. "It'll be put to such great use by the college and the community."

Wolfe said he plans on putting together a community event to double as another fundraising opportunity sometime soon.

With the fundraiser, naming opportunities in the theater will become available as well, including the lobby and director's chairs. Donors of $500 or more will be invited to a Taste of the Arts celebration on May 19 at Mike and Mary Ellen Fox's estate in Saratoga.

Despite its old and decrepit theater, WVC has been able to maintain a high quality arts program over the years.

Two award-winning jazz bands from the college, the South Bay Youth Symphony and the West Valley College Symphonic Band are just a few of the groups which use the facility often. A number of other community organizations also use the theater.

The theater is also home to the Steinway Program, the only program of its kind west of the Mississippi.

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