Idaho Falls’ Frontier Center for the Performing Arts Completes Decade-Long, $5.4 Million Expansion
Two-Phase Renovation Transforms Former Civic Auditorium Into Expanded Community Venue
IDAHO FALLS — After nearly a decade of planning, fundraising, and construction, the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts in Idaho Falls has officially completed two major capital improvement projects, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 22 that drew city officials, donors, and community members together to mark the milestone.
The project, which began taking shape in 2016 when the venue was still known as the Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium, unfolded in two distinct phases and relied almost entirely on private and community-based funding — a model that stands as a strong example of civic improvement accomplished without placing the full burden on taxpayers.
Phase one, completed in 2019, focused on the theater area itself. Upgrades included new seating, carpeting, updated lighting, and a refreshed marquee. That work was made possible through a partnership between the City of Idaho Falls and the Bill and Shirley Maeck Family Foundation, which contributed nearly $1.057 million to the effort.
Phase two, which wrapped up this week, tackled the center’s main entrance and public-facing infrastructure. Frontier Credit Union stepped up as the primary funder, providing a $4.4 million donation that allowed the project to expand the interior lobby space from 2,200 to 6,600 square feet — tripling the available area. The redesign also added more ADA-compliant restrooms and gave the building’s exterior a complete overhaul.
Community Partnerships and Private Funding Drive the Project Forward
Frontier Credit Union CEO Dan Thurman said his organization was enthusiastic when city officials approached them about funding the second phase. The project’s emphasis on addressing accessibility concerns and the building’s size limitations aligned with the credit union’s mission of building better lives in the communities it serves.
“It is beautiful. It’s exceeded my expectations,” Thurman said of the completed expansion.
Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw tied the center’s expansion to the city’s broader growth trajectory, drawing a historical parallel to the building’s origins. The original structure was built in the early 1950s as the city was expanding alongside the Idaho National Laboratory. Now, with the United States entering what Burtenshaw described as a new nuclear renaissance, the theater is once again growing to meet the demands of a thriving community.
“This expansion is just part of that overall growth in the city. I’m really, really excited for what it’ll mean for the next 50 years,” Burtenshaw said.
The completion of the Frontier Center reflects what many in Southeast Idaho consider the right approach to civic infrastructure: leveraging private generosity and community partnerships rather than relying solely on government spending to modernize public facilities.
Honoring the Vision Behind the Project
Much of the April 22 celebration was devoted to honoring the late Carrie Scheid, a community volunteer whose vision and tenacity were credited as essential to the project’s existence. Lara Herway, the former executive director of the citizen committee that developed the improvement plan — a committee created by former Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper — spoke about Scheid’s impact on the effort.
“Today is dedicated to Carrie. She would be thrilled with this project,” Herway said. “Without a doubt, this project would not exist without her tenacity, her vision, and her smarts.”
Herway also reflected on what the Frontier Center means to the broader community, noting that concerns about the building’s aging infrastructure were what originally motivated residents to act.
“We live in an incredible community that cares about each other, and that cares about preserving our civic life and our civic infrastructure,” Herway said.
The Frontier Center for the Performing Arts, now operating with significantly expanded capacity and modernized amenities, is positioned to serve Idaho Falls residents and visitors for generations to come. The project stands as a reminder that when communities organize around shared values and private donors step forward, meaningful infrastructure improvements are achievable without excessive government spending.
For Bannock County residents interested in upcoming community events and venue developments closer to home, live horse racing is set to return to Pocatello Downs soon, offering another example of local entertainment investment in Southeast Idaho. Statewide coverage of community and economic development stories is also available at Idaho News.
What Comes Next
With construction now complete, the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts is expected to begin hosting a full schedule of performances and community events in the expanded facility. City officials have not announced a specific programming calendar as of publication, but the completion of the ribbon-cutting ceremony signals the venue is ready for public use. Officials and donors have expressed optimism that the expanded space will attract larger audiences and a broader range of artistic and civic events in the years ahead.