Chautauqua is almost finished renovating their auditorium, but they’re only halfway done raising the funds to pay for it.

Sundance is coming to Boulder next year, and The Colorado Chautauqua is almost finished with their ambitious auditorium renovation. The project will cost between $11-15 million, but they’ve only raised about half that amount so far. Now they’re looking for donors to help the rest of the way.

 Thy are making structural improvements to the 128-year-old venue, including winterizing it so it can stay year-round, not just in the summer. “ It is about protecting and preserving this beloved treasure for generations, and also expanding what we can offer with 200 more days,”said Debbie Stuart, their Chief Development Officer.

Colorado Chautauqua CEO Shelly Benford said the building will be made stronger, a radiant heat system will be installed in the floor, and insulation panels will be added for winterization. They’re also adding a greenroom, concession stand/bar, underground event space, and — finally — bathrooms!

Sundance was the push, but Benford said updates to the old building had to happen sooner or later. Plus, “there are community partners out there who need more venue space…we’ve been approached by several. We’re gonna be able to provide that space for them now, which is great,” said Benford.

“The cost is constantly changing and never going down, so I would say we’re between 11 and 15 million now. Which seems like a lot of money, but if you think about just remodeling a house in Boulder, that can cost two million regularly. So 15 million for a project this big and complex I don’t think is outrageous.”

Chautauqua is funding the project themselves, with help from a CEFCA tax-exempt bond, small grants, and some major contributions from donors.

“We have about $6 or $7 million to go, and we’d be very interested in anybody who would like to contribute,” said Benford. “It’s a rare event when Chautauqua has the ability to give naming rights, but we do have some opportunities to do that for people who really wanna give generously.”

The building itself can’t be renamed, but elements of it can be given names — like the bar, the green room, and the stage.

“One of the misconceptions is that because this is a city-owned building, that we’re receiving city funding,” said Stuart. “We have great relationships with the city, but this project is not being funded by the city. So it is really up to us, a nonprofit, funding this publicly operated and owned landmark venue.”

Stuart assured me the natural charm of this historic building will not be disturbed. “Our design team was very thoughtful about creating a project that really preserved that experience,” she said.

And for those who like to sit outside on the lawn during the summer and hear the sounds of a concert wafting through the open sides of the building, fear not. The winterization panels will be removed in the summer, said Benford. “ When you go in there, it’s gonna look just like the auditorium everyone loves. “

This story aired on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of the Morning Magazine.