The Salem Community Theatre has expanded its renovation plans to include up to $200,000 in improvements if funds can be raised.
The project started last month with approval of the replacement of the theatre chairs with those being bought from an Oklahoma high school had removed them following less than ten years of service. The board Thursday night agreed to expand the project.
“We’re redoing the flooring underneath the seating as well as the seating, but also while we’re able to move around freely in the auditorium repainting the ceiling and down to part of the stage area,” Johnson said. “We’re also looking at updating our women’s bathroom. As long as we’re down, we’ve been in desperate need of exterior doors for a while, so we’re working towards getting a solid bidder for replacement all the way around, including adding ADA-accessible entranceways.
Johnson says work to remove the old seats is scheduled to begin July 20th and volunteers are needed.
“The less hands we have helping with it, the longer the project will take. With the current plan, we’re looking to be down just over two months, which is a large portion of our normal season. We really don’t want to extend that out any further than we have to.”
Johnson says those who would like to help should leave a note on the Salem Community Theatre’s Facebook page or call the theatre office.
He reports monetary donations are also needed.
“The board is moving forward knowing that it’s unlikely we would be able to get all three phases done unless we get some very generous donations. We’ve been lucky in the past kind of jumping off with a vision and a dream and had wonderful support from our community.”
A meeting to organize the fundraising effort will begin shortly.
Johnson is also working to get the seats transported to Salem from the Oklahoma high school where they are being purchased for $20,000. They were taken out after less than ten years of use.
