LECOMPTON – Lecompton Community Pride, a volunteer organization formed more than a year ago, has made significant progress toward repurposing its old high school building into a community center. But as of late, the progress has been trapped in a standstill.

“We’ve already spent the money we’ve raised,” said Greg Howard, the chairman of the group’s fundraising campaign.

For now, the group is short on funds to continue refurbishment of the building’s small theater, currently the project’s focus. Though his organization is broke for the time being, Howard speaks on the current state of affairs without a trace of concern.

“We’re still pretty new at this,” he said with a relaxed smile.

Already, the building features a library, a lounge, a meeting room and spaces for dance and Zumba classes.

After turning its attention to the theater, Lecompton Community Pride has spent nearly $14,000 replacing three windows and buying curtains for the stage and windows, Howard said. The group still hopes to replace the six other windows in the auditorium and refinish the hardwood floors.

This doesn’t mean the fund shortage has put a halt to events at the theater. Howard said it hosted a Christmas play earlier this month, as it did last year, as well as a piano recital and a kids dance show earlier this year.

As for future fundraisers, Howard said a Christian music concert is in the works for late January or early February to provide a chance for optional donations.

Grant money hasn’t yielded much for the organization. It’s won a small amount of grant funding in the past, Howard said, but the group recently learned one of its grant applications had been turned down.

“We count on people being generous,” he said.