FREDONIA – A new marquee is lighting up the historic Fredonia Opera House.
The theater, which first opened in 1891, just completed four new improvement projects paid for by an Empire State Development Smart Growth grant.
The grant, to date, has funded $841,000 in Opera House projects, enabling the theatre to restore over 60 windows, improve its energy efficiency and sound insulation.
Additionally, the improvements upgraded the Opera House HVAC system, remodel and expand the public restrooms and, in what is quite possibly the most recognizable improvement, install a new two-piece digital marquee over the theatre’s Temple Street entrance.
As part of Friday’s unveiling, the theatre illuminated the new marquee, which Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis says will go a long way in helping create awareness of and exposure for the Opera House.
“In my 16 years at the Opera House, I think I must have heard someone express surprise that Village Hall has a theatre in it at least every other month,” noted Davis. “Not only does this marquee announce loud and clear ‘theatre here,’ it also promotes in a very cost-effective way the venue’s coming events.”
The Opera House plans to reopen to the public on July 17 for movies and in September for live performances.
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