Renovations at Chattanooga's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium are on track for a grand re-opening celebration next February.
Today we went inside to tour the work on the historic Community Theater on the upper level.
As news 12's Nordia Epps tells us, it will provide a much-needed venue for our area.
Mark Stone, Operations Facilities, "It will be pew seating in here."
And once those brand new pews fill this space at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium's Community Theater ...they should stay full...bringing in $25,000 in the first quarter alone.
Results from the Imagine Chattanooga 20/20 Cultural plan suggests the theatre will fill a void.
Missy Crutchfield, "This is a space that's needed. Because more and more shows that are coming in are needing less than 2,000 seats even less than 1,000 so 700 to 800 is right on track."
At nearly 100 years old...the Community Theatre needed a face lift.
Construction started back in February, after months of planning and fund raising.
This is the first of a three-phase plan to renovate the historic auditorium...primarily to make it more accessible for everyone.
Stone, "We'll see new seating, obviously the ADA compliance, lots of new carpet, lots of concessions ability, new rest rooms, those kinds of things."
The million dollar make over will also include a public elevator, and handicap lift...and new paint for the audience chamber ...with a blue and gold color scheme.
Jim Bailiff, Co-Chair of Renovation Steering Committee, "We want the City of Chattanooga to know what a treasure they have here...not only know that they have it. They need to come experience it themselves."
The public can experience the finished product next February.
The next phase of the project will include sound and lighting equipment.
Funding and a timeline for the rest of the renovations will depend on the new mayor's administration.
