Download photo of Kerry Kolke Bonk and Shari Lamke
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — The board of Pioneer PBS and the board of Preserve Appleton’s Heritage have signed an agreement delineating a process for gradually transferring the former Pioneer PBS studio and headquarters to Preserve Appleton’s Heritage -- a non-profit organization with the intent to purchase and preserve real and personal property related to Appleton's heritage and history.
Kerry Kolke Bonk, President of the non-profit, said that she and the PAH Board of local residents, are “proud and excited to announce that Pioneer PBS has graciously provided PAH with a lease-to-own agreement, which will lead to ownership of the historic Appleton Opera House and modern annex built by Pioneer PBS, on or before July 1, 2028.”
The agreement calls for Pioneer PBS to continue to serve in the capacity of a fiscal agent for the next several years as PAH secures grant funds to restore the building in accordance with the Historic Preservation plan developed in consultation with the Minnesota Historical Society and MSR Design. For its part, PAH will raise funds from rents, grants, individual giving campaigns and fee for service revenue as well as other sources as they take over the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the 127 year-old building.
“The generosity of the Appleton community helped Pioneer PBS get its start,” said Pioneer PBS President and General Manager Shari Lamke. “We continue to serve the people of Appleton in gratitude of their generosity and it is our hope that this partnership with Preserve Appleton Heritage will inspire many people throughout the region to participate in the future of this wonderful historic building and help ensure that it will continue to serve as a regional asset for decades to come.”
For more information on the project, visit the Preserve Appleton’s Heritage Facebook page.
About Pioneer PBS
Broadcasting continuously since 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.