When the original opera house was built in Manitou in 1930, there wasn't much thought given to people with limited mobility. So the building's entrance was at the top of a staircase and the bathrooms were down flights stairs.

So, in 2014, a massive fundraising campaign began. Last year, the major renovations were completed to the historic building making it more accessible.

"It was always a pain," said Al Thorleifson who was involved in the renovations, "when people would call us and say, 'We'd like to come to the concert, is it accessible?' We'd have to say, 'Only if we carry your wheelchair up the stairs."

The renovations included an addition to the west side of the opera house which would address the needs of everyone. Now the entrance, the bathrooms, the hallways, and the stage are all accessible to people of all levels of mobility.

"We're really pleased," Thorleifson said.

The addition is built to be as similar as possible to the original building including the materials and construction. For example, the siding is made with 1930's style jigs, the floors are hardwood, and the door frames are solid fir.

"Everything is to the same precision as the original building, and we have received many, many gracious accolades for having done that," said Thorleifson.

"People really love the venue. We couldn't be happier with that."

A little over $1 million dollars was raised to pay for the renovations; around $75,000 is still owed on the project.