Elle Clark, an Iowa Central student who plays Belle in the upcoming musical “Beauty and the Beast,” stood on the auditorium stage and sang “Home,” one of her numbers from the show.

Over in the new marching and concert band room, a percussion ensemble entertained guests.

And upstairs in the new Center for Performing Arts, people filled a corridor to listen to a singing group.

Friday’s event marked the public debut of the facilities following a nearly two-year-long construction project that cost about $14.5 million.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Elle Clark, an Iowa Central Community College student who plays Belle in the upcoming spring musical performance of "Beauty and the Beast" sings one of her songs from the show on the stage of Decker Auditorium Friday.

“We pulled off quite a miracle,” college President Jesse Ulrich said.

“Our community believes in the fine arts,” he said.

The Ambassadors from the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance conducted a ribbon cutting to mark the debut of the facilities.

“This is something that will not only improve the lives of the students here at Iowa Central, but will be truly a gem for the community and the families in the community for generations to come,” said Matt Johnson on behalf of the Ambassadors.

Teresa Jackson, theater director at Iowa Central, handled the golden-colored scissors to snip to the green ribbon.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A percussion ensemble plays Friday evening during the open house for the new Center for Performing Arts and the renovated Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College.

“Our team is overwhelmed with gratitude,” she said. “Thank you beyond measure.”

Ulrich thanked the Iowa Central Board of Trustees, the Iowa Central Foundation, the college’s music and theater faculties, OPN Architects of Des Moines, and general contractor Klinger Construction, of Sioux City, and the local subcontractors for their work on the project.

The facilities were opened for self-guided tours after the ribbon cutting.

Decker Auditorium was built in the early 1970s. Very little in the way of upgrades were done to it since then.

The auditorium was essentially gutted. Then new electrical, lighting and sound systems were installed. New seating was put in. The entire building was made accessible in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Teresa Jackson, theater director at Iowa Central Community College, snips a green ribbon Friday to mark the debut of the new Center for Performing Arts and renovated Decker Auditorium on the campus.To the left of her are Dianne and Don Decker, who donated $1 million for the project. The auditorium was named after his parents, Dale and Donna Decker, several years ago. To the right of Jackson is college President Jesse Ulrich.

And those sitting in the balcony will now have access to bathrooms on that level for the first time.

Several years ago, the auditorium was named for Dale and Donna Decker. Their son and daughter-in-law, Don and Dianne Decker, donated $1 million for the auditorium project.

Ulrich publicly thanked the Deckers Friday for their lead gift to the effort.

He said Decker Auditorium is the most public building on the campus. He said 50,000 people go through it every year.

With about 1,200 seats it remains the largest venue in the area.

The new two-story Center for Performing Arts was built onto the south side of Decker Auditorium.

The first floor has:

• A large room where the marching and concert bands can practice.

• A shop for building theatrical sets

• An instrument and ensemble room

• Two dressing rooms directly behind the Decker Auditorium stage

• A drama and theater room

• Small rooms where musicians can practice

• Faculty offices

Upstairs there are two classrooms, a large music classroom and a conference room.