On Wednesday, November 13, representatives from the Portage County Business Council, the Tomorrow River Schools, the Village of Amherst, the International Bank of Amherst, and Alchemy Concrete joined area donors to the Jensen Community Center’s 3Stage Expansion Project for a ribbon cutting on Stage 1 of the project, the International Bank of Amherst Terrace.

In his remarks prior to the ribbon cutting, Jensen Center Executive Director Brent Frankenhoff said, “It’s been an honor and a learning experience to work on a project of this magnitude. I’ve learned much about building codes, blueprints, and contractor schedules this past year.

“We could not have completed this stage of our expansion without the support and financial assistance of so many donors, including our major donor, the International Bank of Amherst. Alchemy Concrete deserves special recognition for developing and executing the plans for this major addition to our Center that will enhance its use for many years to come. And Blenker Construction got things started with the installation of a pair of double doors that lead out onto the terrace from our Community Room.

“In addition to being the first part of the project installed, those double doors are what led to the overall development of the 3Stage Expansion Project in the first place. The doors were suggested by a planning group charged with increasing rentals and accessibility at the Center. Within a few months, a committee from our Board of Directors, with community input, compiled an ambitious plan for not only enhancing this part of the Center, but also upgrading our safety systems with a fire alarm and sprinkler system — Stage 2, which is now underway — and adding long-needed storage and office space abutting the stage in our theater.

“With the expansion project formally announced in late March of this year, it’s amazing how quickly we were able to fund Stages 1 and 2. As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village,’ and this terrace is proof positive of that.”

With Stage 1 now completed and open to the public, and Stage 2’s final plans and installation well on the way to completion with Integrity Fire Protection, the focus of the 3Stage Expansion Project is that third stage, the expansion of the theater’s stage area with added storage space and remote office space.

Donations in any amount for this massive undertaking are appreciated, and all donors who wish to be acknowledged publicly are listed on our Gratitude List below. Donors of $1,000 or more will be listed on a permanent recognition wall near the terrace after the project fundraising is complete. All donations over the course of the capital campaign are being tracked, and donors can increase their level of giving with multiple gifts over the course of fundraising, which is scheduled for completion later in 2025. For more information, visit the Jensen Center’s website at jensencenter.org or call (715) 824-5202.

Portage County Business Council Ambassador Melissa Blenker (left) presented Jensen Center Executive Director Brent Frankenhoff (right) with a commemorative certificate at the ribbon cutting.

International Bank of Amherst President Butch Pomeroy (left), the major donor to Stage 1 of the 3Stage Expansion Project, and Alchemy Concrete Director of Design Tom Dunbar (right) each said a few words about the project at the ribbon cutting.

Among those attending the ribbon cutting and reception were (left to right): Patti Orthwein, Tanya Victor, and Mary Dahlen.

Refreshments at the reception included commemorative sugar cookies from Julie’s Norske Bakeri & Bites of Plover.