News : ACT 1 members begin to move into new home at former West/ICAS building

ACT 1 members began moving into their new home Saturday morning.

For years, ACT 1 of Benton County directors, actors and stage crew members have held rehearsals in the ACT 1 studio space donated by Jon Clingman above the downtown pharmacy that bears his name.

Now, another generous donation has given the Area Community Theater a new home, and a much larger space in which to practice.

Rich Hainstock, manager of his company, Format L.C., bought the former West Elementary Early Childhood Center building and property. After having Pella Roofing install a new roof, Format L.C. donated the south half of the building, which includes the gym, stage area, kitchen and several classroom and office spaces, to ACT 1. Hainstock plans to sell the north half of the building as soon as possible. He also hopes to create housing units in the green spaces that fill the block surrounding the school.

ACT 1 members began moving into the building Saturday morning.

Doug Martens said the new space will allow the group enough space to create a replica of the stage at the Vinton Palace. This, he said, will help actors and stage crews to be able from the very beginning to know where and how to move on stage during the productions at the Palace. There is also ample room for storage of props and costumes.

ICAS, who had bought the building from the school district, had been leasing space to the Vinton-Shellsburg district for its AlternativeHigh School. Those classes have has moved from the north side of the building to the south part, where the district will lease several classrooms from ACT 1.

VS Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock noted there is a new lease agreement in place between the district and Act I. The lease includes a rental payment of $1/year but the district will also pay for the first $4800 in utility costs, sharing the next $4800 in utility costs (if necessary) and assisting with snow removal and lawn maintenance around the area the alternative HS program will use. She anticipates the arrangement will cost the district roughly the same amount it had been paying ICAS for the use of classroom space on the north end of the building.

Rich Hainstock is a frequent ACT 1 performer; Mary Jo has been in some productions. The couple say that the donation accomplishes three things. First, it helps ACT 1 by providing facilities large enough to make preparations for its productions more efficient.

Second, it provides quality space for the alternative HS program.

And third,it avoids the appearance of a conflict of interest. Although it would be perfectly legal for Rich Hainstock to lease his building to the school district where his wife is superintendent, that kind of arrangement – even at $1 per year – does not pass the “smell test,” says the superintendent.