The big fundraising effort for the Iowa Hall of Pride in Des Moines is nearly complete, a year ahead of schedule. The facility promises to be a place where Iowans can reminisce about their high school days, play interactive games and view video of Iowa’s outstanding musicians, athletes and actors. Jack Lashier is director of special projects for the Iowa High School Athletic Association. So far, they’ve raised 11-million dollars for the 12-point-five million dollar project. Lashier says they’ve gotten donations in increments as small as five-dollars and as large as 350-thousand. He explains what the hall is going to be all about.The hall will honor education and all Iowa high schools, both past and present, and all activities, including boys and girls sports, journalism, speech, band, choir, orchestra and any other extra curriculars. 402 active schools and 45 closed or merged schools are in the process of entering data into the modules. Lashier says the hall will be located inside the Iowa Events Center, now under construction in downtown Des Moines. He says they should be able to start moving into their space in April. The facility is scheduled to open in November or December of 2004. In the Spirit of Competition theater, video is being shot at five school events and two Iowa events: the Drake Relays, the state wrestling tournament, the all-state concert, volleyball, state cross country, the Iowa State Fair and RAGBRAI. Video interviews will be shown with 75 famous Iowans, ranging from former U-of-I wrestling coach Dan Gable to retired baseball great Bob Feller. For more information, surf to “www.iowahallofpride.com”.
