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Backus Community Center
Backus Community Center
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    • Home
    • What is Backus
    • About
      • What Backus has to Offer
      • History of Backus/ AB
      • Backus Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Building Tenants
      • Building Rental
      • Links of Interest
      • Annual Report
      • Backus Newsletters
      • Notary
      • Supporters & Sponsors
      • Membership
    • Events
      • Calendar of Events
      • Performing Arts Season
      • Life Line Screening
      • Contractor Course
    • Programs
      • Ruby's Pantry
      • Summer Food Service
      • Borealis Bards
      • Exercise
      • Summer Art Week
      • RLCO
    • Donations
    • Backus Endowment
    • KCC-TV
      • KCC-TV
      • KCC-TV Membership
    • Photos
    • Forms

  • Home
  • What is Backus
  • About
    • What Backus has to Offer
    • History of Backus/ AB
    • Backus Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Building Tenants
    • Building Rental
    • Links of Interest
    • Annual Report
    • Backus Newsletters
    • Notary
    • Supporters & Sponsors
    • Membership
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Performing Arts Season
    • Life Line Screening
    • Contractor Course
  • Programs
    • Ruby's Pantry
    • Summer Food Service
    • Borealis Bards
    • Exercise
    • Summer Art Week
    • RLCO
  • Donations
  • Backus Endowment
  • KCC-TV
    • KCC-TV
    • KCC-TV Membership
  • Photos
  • Forms

Backus Community Center – “The Heart of the Community”

For 85 years, since it first opened as a junior high school, “Backus” has been the center for community gatherings of all types. During its days as a junior high school, the Auditorium and gym hosted basketball games, proms, baccalaureates, graduations, plays, concerts, guest speakers, lyceums, cooking classes sponsored by the Daily Journal, talent shows, pageants, Border Concerts, community gatherings and dinners.  In 2002, its school days ended, the 1937 Art Deco building transitioned to the “Backus Community Center” and a new life as a home to community services, arts and cultural programs and youth activities.


 Tenants leasing space in the building provide 4-H programming, MN driver license testing, public access television broadcasting, veterans services,  dance classes, orchestra rehearsal space, financial services, police department, youth wrestling center, Oberholtzer study, bridge clubs. bible studies, and daycare. The Backus Center is home to Borealis Bards Community Theatre, Darcie’s Dance Studio, girls and boys basketball practice and games, Boy Scout Troop 150, a Performing Arts Series, art classes, summer arts programs, music programs, art exhibits, exercise classes, plays, dinner theatre, lunches, and special events.


Two programs help address food insecurity: Ruby's Pantry, a monthly food distribution program, serves an average of 280 families per month with over 13,000 families benefiting since 2015 and a free Summer Food Service Program serves lunches to children. 


Dozens of community events draw people of all ages including: Icebox Days, Arrowhead 135 Ultra Marathon; dinners, banquets, meetings, classes, deer and elk hunters banquets, hall of fames, candidate forums, health screenings, birthday parties, and receptions.  Backus also supports local law enforcement agencies by providing space for training and education for officers and canines.


Comments from Backus stakeholders:


  • The word “Backus” should be in the dictionary with a definition “a place where all things are possible”.  A community needs a heart and our Backus Community Center provides it in International Falls.  As a small, remote area, we are in need of an entity that looks after the social and artistic needs of the citizens.  At Backus, many of the activities that go on would not have a home without the spaces and services available there.  The revitalization of the structure was also a revitalization of the core of the community.   People were brought together and continue to be as this force we call “Backus” moves forward.  I love to see the auditorium full of folks enjoying music, plays and other events. I love knowing that businesses, churches and other agencies are coming together there to support the needs of this town.
    Mary Bartlett – AARP Volunteer Tax Preparation Coordinator/Backus Member
  • Backus Community Center has filled a huge void in International Falls and the greater Koochiching County community in recent years of start up and operation. The tireless efforts of a few have created a positive and lasting impact on many lives here in different ways. By finding a way to save and preserve one of the area’s most historic structures these dedicated community members have been able to provide housing for vital area services to include 4-H, Regional Mental Health, Chemical Dependency Programs, Food Services, Governmental and Community meetings. Backus has been able to gain the support of local Government, Community and Citizen Contributors because of the success they have achieved in making Backus a true Community Center for all.
    Wade Pavleck – Commissioner, Koochiching County/Backus Member
  • I am continually impressed with the success and creativity of the Backus Community Center organization.
    I volunteer at the Community Café. The Café itself is a wonderful venue … people from our community not only eating, but visiting with others, being recognized on sight, helping out, being part of a Tuesday or Thursday family, rather than eating a lonely meal at home, or skipping the meal altogether.  While at the Café, I love the excitement of the dance studio right next to our food area.  There is so much joy in music and dance, and the simple bustling about of dancers. It is a contagious atmosphere, which brings smiles to the volunteers as well as the guests of the Café.
    Pat Bjorum – Pastoral Ministry, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish/Backus Member
  • I can't imagine living here in International Falls without The Backus Community Center.  When we moved here two years ago I had to give up gymnastics since it isn't offered in this area. If it weren't for the Borealis Bards and Ice Box Radio Theater, I'd just sit upstairs in my room with nothing to do. Plus all the concerts we attend there and the After School Arts program. I loved being in Prairie Fire Theater each summer. Seriously, do you know how different life would be if we didn't have the Backus?
    Caillie Lowthian, High School Student
  • I can honestly say I am a believer in this group and facility. In my honest opinion, I was not an original supporter of saving this building. Years later I am a supporter and do not know where our community would be without this venue and the group that runs it. They have not only resurrected a facility, but have added to this community culturally and educationally. It has been a journey that has brought young and old together to experience history along with pushing forward to enrich all of our lives with ongoing social activities.
    Kevin Grover – Superintendent ISD # 361, International Falls Public Schools/Backus Member
  • As our community works to move forward after devastating job losses, Backus is the center where ideas are being generated and possibilities are being looked into.  Backus is where people meet for a variety of reasons.  International Falls, being on the northern border and isolated relies on Backus for many educational and cultural programs.  Backus has been able to bring music, plays and acts to town that people would not have an opportunity to see.  Backus is truly an integral part of our community now. Current leadership has been remarkable in the building up of Backus.  This truly is a gem in our community.
    LeeAnn Meer - Former Director, Friends Against Abuse/Backus Member
  • I volunteer for Backus and have found great personal fulfillment working during the summer months for the lunch program and also as an usher and ticket seller at events throughout the year. . . It has been affirming to work again with the public and to do meaningful work outside the home.
    Jill Malone, Backus volunteer,  Backus Member
  • Our community would not be the same without Backus – I feel it is important for kids to participate in extra-curricular activities, and with so much emphasis on sports in school, the kids who are not athletic sometimes get “left out”. Backus provides a venue for these kids (through Borealis Bards Community Theatre) to practice their talents – without it, where would they be? Backus is an integral part of the local community. It is important to both adults and children, and our community would lack without it.
    Beth Gable, Parent

What Backus has to Offer

Rental Space

  • Conference Room can seat up to 100,  open to a variety of table/seating configurations
    Room size:  60' x 25' |  $100 per day rental fee 
  • Stage/Gym will provide seating for 200-500 Room size:  55' x 85'
    Non-Profit $400 per day, Commercial $600 per day, Private short-term parties $40 per hour, start to finish 
  • 1,000 seat Auditorium is equipped with a full-sized stage, lighting, sound and a 24' x 16' projection system allowing for modern presentations and performances
    $2 per seat rental fee charged in addition to gym rental fee, fee used for auditorium
    capital improvements
  • Other spaces available, call for dimensions and rates (218) 285-7225

Building Tenants

Main Floor:

  • Dancin' with Darcie - Room 112
  • Thrivent Financial - Room 101A
  • Headstart- 103 & 104

Second Floor Tenants:

  • University of MN Extension Office - Room 205
  • KCC-TV Public Television - Room 209
  • Head Start - 204
  • MN Department of Public Safety- Room 209
  • Veterans Lodge - Room 208
  • Oberholtzer Foundation - Room 210

Third Floor Tenants

  • International Falls Police Department - Suite 305
  • Rainy Lake Community Orchestra - Room 301
  • Backus Music - Room 302
  • KOOTASCA Community Action - Room 304

Lower Level Tenant:

  • Borealis Bards
  • Mighty Mustangs Wrestling
  • John Faith Little Theater

Food Programs

  • Ruby's Pantry - 2nd Monday of each month, food distribution.  $25 US cash donation for an abundance of food items.  Carry-out distribution between 5 pm-6:30pm
  • Summer Food Service Program - Free lunches for children ages 1-18 between 12:00pm-1:00pm, Mon- Thurs during the summer

Exercise Programs

  • Walk the Building and climb the stairs - at your own pace
  • Volleyball - Monday  -$2.00 a night
  • Pickleball - Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday - $2.00 a night

School-Age Children Programs

  • Dancin' with Darcie offers multiple dance classes for school-aged children
  • Junior High Basketball -  boys and girls practice and games held November through February
  • Mighty Mustang Wrestling - school aged wrestling club
  • Homeschool Children - gym time
  • Crochet Club
  • Music Lessons

Programs

  • Contractors Continuing Education Class each February
  • Minnesota Loggers Training and Safety Certifications
  • Community Band
  • Community Choir
  • Theater Programs
  • Rainy Lake Community Orchestra
  • Adult Music Lessons


Entertainment

  • Borealis Bards produce two + shows per year
  • Backus Performing Arts Series holds four to six performances each season, running September through April
  • Arrowhead 135 Ultra Marathon Meeting & Dinner hosted each January
  • All School Music & Choral Festivals hosted each February
  • Minnesota Deer Hunter's Banquet hosted annually
  • Riverfest - July 1 every year

Backus Community Center  | 900 5th Street,
International Falls   (218) 285-7225 

"Historic Backus Community Center, the heart of International Falls, where all generations celebrate the arts, culture, recreation, wellness and life-long learning."

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