(La Porte, IN) - The main level of the near century-old La Porte Civic Auditorium is now air-conditioned for the first time, with the recently installed air conditioning system having been tested last week and used for a fundraising event over the weekend, per Civic Auditorium Director Brett Binversie.

 

“It worked perfectly, so we’re happy about that,” he said.

 

The air conditioning was installed primarily to host more major events during the summer at the Civic Auditorium, which has been used more extensively in recent years, mostly for tribute band concerts and major acts like country music stars Sara Evans and Josh Turner.

 

A new, more efficient heating system was also recently installed, joining additional improvements like new cushioned balcony seats wider than the auditorium's original all-wooden seating arrangement, along with LED lights, wider aisles, guardrails, and accessible seating in the balcony.  A new roof was also placed on the building two years ago.

 

“It really makes the Civic more ready for the next 100 years,” he said.

 

The cost of all of the improvements was about $6 million, with some of the expenses paid for with American Rescue Plan dollars approved by the federal government to help the entire country recover economically from the pandemic.