I am writing this on my last day as manager of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. I’ve had this part-time job for over eight years and, for the most part, it has been my favorite job.

Recently there have been a few people who have said that this facility has been underused. These comments are made by individuals who are either misinformed or don’t understand the whole picture. I get the impression that they don’t want to be informed. In the past four years I have more than doubled the gross revenue. Last year the building was in use 300 days, which included 112 performances and seminars with a total of close to 12,000 people coming through the doors. The people who use this word, “underused,” have never once asked me about the performing arts center or have made any pro-active suggestions. I have worked to the best of my ability, given the constraints of the budget, and available time, to make this building a key part of the downtown.

There are many people who I’ve worked with over the years. Some have become close friends. What I enjoyed the most was working with the youth theater. For three years I was able to work with a very talented group of kids. I know of at least six that have gone on to college and are either working on getting their bachelor’s of arts degrees in theater or have already received it.

I’ve directed some shows that have been artistic successes and some that haven’t. But I’ve always appreciated the effort put in by these volunteers no matter the outcome. I do encourage you to give it a try. Theater may not be for you, but you don’t know until you try.

There were many people who showed us simple human kindness after our son died three years ago. Tina Stripe, Craig Johnson and the staff at the Holiday Inn Express did those little things for us that would have been very difficult for us to handle during that first week.

I have no idea how the performing arts center will be managed in the future. I have shown the city management how it can be self-sufficient, but I was never given the directive to make this happen, so I assume that the city has other ideas on how it will be maintained. It’s a beautiful building that needs to be taken care of, or it will deteriorate quickly.

I have hesitated in thanking people because I know that I’ll omit someone. But here are a few: custodian Russ Moffitt, Fran Kalis, Paul Cooper, Bob Furland, Jerry Viktora, Mike Compton, Jay Hutchison, Bill Leland, Scott Pirsig, Karen Szymanowski, Marion Ross and many others. In one way or another, these people have helped me over the years.

I look forward to the next chapter in my life and wish the best for the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Patrick Rasmussen

Owatonna