Avoca Veterans Community Center Set to Begin Construction
Construction is set to begin August 1, 2025 with the tentative completion to be at the end of May 2026.
The American Legion Building in Avoca has been a staple in our community for 95 years. It is an iconic building on our Main Street and has hosted a multitude of events over the decades – celebrations, fundraisers, graduations, reunions, and much more.
Now, to better serve the community, the City of Avoca and the Avoca Legion Post No. 227 have come together to remodel and transform the American Legion into the Avoca Veterans Community Center (AVCC).
“We have been looking at how to best update this historic building since the City took ownership in 2022,” said City Administrator, Tyler Trout. “Now that we have the final plans, we are thrilled to advance this project and create a new venue for community members to utilize and enjoy.”
Developing the Avoca Veterans Community Center
In April 2025, Avoca’s City Council approved the $3.27 million expansion and renovation of the current Legion Hall. With little to no updates being done since 1968, there are many improvements needing to be made to modernize, elevate curb appeal, and bring the building up to code.
A few of the updates being made to the Legion Hall includes:
- Opening the ceiling to the original theatre height
- Adding beams that highlight the original restored barrel vault
- Creating The Legion Bar which will have its own separate bay adjoining the AVCC
- Adding on an outdoor deck and seating area
- Two galleries featuring a permanent installation of mounts from the Schultz Collection
- Updated, fully-functional kitchen space
- And much more!
Community members will soon be able to host a wide range of events at our very own Community Center, which will offer options for a full bar, self-serve or catered food, a sound system, and a capacity to accommodate up to 150 people.
Upon the completion of the expansion and renovations, the venue will officially be known as the Avoca Veterans Community Center. Construction is set to begin August 1, 2025 with the tentative completion to be at the end of May 2026. The City of Avoca hired Franks Design Group, based in Glenwood, to serve as the architects overseeing the project, and KelCon LLC from Omaha as the role of contractors.
What the AVCC Will Offer to the Community
If you're planning a birthday party, wedding reception, graduation, or any other gathering, Avoca currently lacks an updated, fully serviced venue. However, with the completion of the AVCC, that will change!
Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the AVCC will cater to your needs with style and convenience. The spacious venue will feature flexible seating arrangements, allowing you to customize the space to perfectly fit the theme and size of your event. Additionally, the AVCC will provide state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for both hosts and guests. With a focus on community engagement and accessibility, the AVCC is set to become the heart of social activities in Avoca, offering a vibrant and welcoming space where everyone can come together to create cherished memories.
Additionally, the Legion Bar will offer open hours throughout the week, providing a fresh venue on our main street where community members can gather and connect. There will also be two display rooms honoring the late Dr. Roy Schultz’s taxidermied animals.
Following the AVCC’s grand opening, Avoca’s Community Relations Coordinator will be the main contact for bookings and rentals.
History of the Legion Hall
In the late 1920’s talking pictures, or talkies, started taking over the film industry marking the end of the silent movie era. In response, E.K. Harris – the owner of the Harris Bakery and Cafe in Avoca – built a Spanish style building in 1929 that became the Harris Theatre. With a capacity to hold 440 people, the first showing in the new community Theatre was Fox Movietone Follies on August 6, 1929 with an admissions price of 75 cents.
Carl Ernst took ownership of the Theatre in December 1938, and it started being referred to as the Harris-Avoca Theatre. Ernst then sold it to Arthur Meridith in March/April 1940. The Theatre stayed open until 1957 after televisions came into being and movie houses suffered a decline in business. Many Theatres, including Avoca’s, had to close their doors.
The Avoca Legion Post purchased the building in 1968 and it was extensively remodeled into a large meeting room, with modern and adequate kitchen facilities. The City of Avoca took ownership of the historic building in 2022 with the vision of turning this historic building into the new Avoca Veterans Community Center.
History information gained from newspaper clippings and the book, "A Community History Avoca, Iowa. 125 Years of History. 1869-1994"