A wonderful $40,000 donation will help keep Brodniak Hall — an antiquated and at times even dangerous performing arts center — from becoming an embarrassment to Anacortes High School and the community. It has been teetering that way.

The Anacortes School Board accepted the donation from Betty Ann Morgan at its April 23 meeting. Her daughters and grandchildren have been enriched by the drama program, and the gift the Morgan family is in honor of her late husband, an avid supporter of the arts.

The money will go toward badly needed upgrades to Brodniak’s lighting and sound systems. It’s not enough to do all that’s needed, but the donation and other funds will be a huge step forward.

The School District bond requests that failed recently would have addressed these needs and more. Funds would have replaced the lighting, sound and electrical systems as well as provided new seating. Technology from 30 years ago would have finally have been replaced.

Brodniak Hall has long been a tremendous community asset, and in its day was a state-of-the-art facility. It remains our cultural gathering spot and a wonderful space to present all manner of concerts and performances. It is well-used by the schools, and also by the community.

But Brodniak needs so much help after 30 years. Pull back the curtains and you see so much wrong with the systems that make it work. Even the stage was worn out, throwing up dangerous splinters. At least that need was addressed by a $2,775 grant from the Anacortes Arts Festival Board.

The Morgan donation is a huge boost. Along with funding the immediate upgrades, perhaps it can put the spotlight on what else needs to be done and be a catalyst for other donations.

There won’t be another bond request for some time, and there’s little if any money at the School District that can go toward additional improvements. Our schools are in a painful financial contraction and are struggling with basics such as staffing.

Continued community support can make a big difference at Brodniak. Our thanks to the Morgan family, and thanks in advance to others who contribute as well.