Thunder Bay Theatre to begin renovations next month

Aug 28, 2023

News File Photo Thunder Bay Theatre is still under construction, but TBT will offer summer camps for kids and teens in July at Alpena Civic Theatre.

After over three years of being closed due to water and smoke damage following a fire at the John A. Lau Saloon, repairs and renovations to the Thunder Bay Theatre building will commence on Sept. 5.

The majority of the funding for the $1.4 million project was secured through a variety of state and local grants including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, State Historic Preservation Office, First Federal Legacy Foundation, and the Besser Foundation.

While the theater received insurance funds for the damage, the funds were not adequate to address all of the building needs.

President Anne Gentry shared, “It has been a long journey to get to this point requiring a lot of patience and determination to keep moving forward. The theater board has been unwavering in its plans to reopen and continue our mission of providing live theatre and educational opportunities for the Alpena community.”

Meridian Contracting Services and Meridian Restoration will serve as general contractor on the project. Gentry added, “Todd Britton has been an invaluable partner throughout the preparation for the project, he’s provided great insight and recommendations on the structural repairs.”

The anticipated timeline for completion of the building repairs is roughly a year, with a potential reopening in the fall of 2024. The first priority for the building is to repair the brick facade, replace the windows, and replace the roof which has been in desperate need of repair for more than five years.

Additional funding will be required to update the stage, lighting grid, and the auditorium. A fundraising campaign is expected to launch this fall but donations towards the project are appreciated at any time.

For more information, visit the theatre’s website, thunderbaytheatre.com, Facebook, or call 989.354.2267. You may also email the administrative staff and board of directors at [email protected].

ABOUT THUNDER BAY THEATRE

Located in historic downtown Alpena, Michigan, Thunder Bay Theatre, Inc. is a year-round non-profit theatre committed to providing consistent, high-quality productions and educational opportunities utilizing a professional core company, augmented with community talent.

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