Performa
Member
Our partners at CREATE Portage County have been in the IDEA Center at 1039 Ellis Street for a long time now. The building (formerly county offices) is owned by Portage County, and it has definitely seen better days. The IDEA Center is a somewhat labyrinthine space of offices and creative spaces for all sorts of applications, but they've definitely had to work within the confines of the space- but that time has come to an end. Their new, bigger, purpose-built creative collaborative space in the former convent on Maria Drive on the north side of Stevens Point is finally done, and they are beginning the move out process starting the weekend after Christmas. The new CREATE space will be better in pretty much every way- it's bigger inside and out, will feature modern technology and features, HVAC that isn't trying to bake you alive, ample parking, and an address that coincides with the main entrance, just to name a few.
The WCC was given Friday, January 24th as our first Retro Game Night of 2025, and it so happens we will be the last group to hold an event in the IDEA Center before it is emptied out and closed down for good. Rumors are swirling that the county may raze the building to make way for new development on that site, as it's directly across from the Wisconsin River with excellent views. There is every possibility we'll be some of the last folks from the general public in there.
As such, I feel a space that has been so influential on creative and collaborative projects across the region deserves something of a send off. A final hurrah for a place that has made so many great things happen, and connected so many great people over the years. To that end, I propose that our last Retro Gaming event be something of a party!
We'll have our usual gamin setups of course, but I plan to invite other CREATE Portage County collaborates, partners, members, and past project leads to join us for a gathering to say one last fond farewell to this community space. I'll see what I can do about snacks and drinks, as well as what fixtures will still be present for the event.
Let me know what you think! We have some time yet to hammer our details, and there are a few unknowns that'll still have to be settled sometime in the new year. I'm open to any ideas and suggestions on how to make this the best show there yet!
My last time using this graphic too.
The WCC was given Friday, January 24th as our first Retro Game Night of 2025, and it so happens we will be the last group to hold an event in the IDEA Center before it is emptied out and closed down for good. Rumors are swirling that the county may raze the building to make way for new development on that site, as it's directly across from the Wisconsin River with excellent views. There is every possibility we'll be some of the last folks from the general public in there.
As such, I feel a space that has been so influential on creative and collaborative projects across the region deserves something of a send off. A final hurrah for a place that has made so many great things happen, and connected so many great people over the years. To that end, I propose that our last Retro Gaming event be something of a party!
We'll have our usual gamin setups of course, but I plan to invite other CREATE Portage County collaborates, partners, members, and past project leads to join us for a gathering to say one last fond farewell to this community space. I'll see what I can do about snacks and drinks, as well as what fixtures will still be present for the event.
Let me know what you think! We have some time yet to hammer our details, and there are a few unknowns that'll still have to be settled sometime in the new year. I'm open to any ideas and suggestions on how to make this the best show there yet!
My last time using this graphic too.

