Rai$e The Roof Campaign 2020

Rai$e The Roof Campaign 2020

Your Gift Today PRESERVES the Historic Marion Palace Theatre for many PROMISING TOMORROWS

THE WHAT:

The Palace Theatre is a historic and architecturally significant building in Marion County.  Built in 1928 by John Eberson, the theatre has survived harsh winters, heavy rains, and economic hard times.  It stands as one of only 16 operational Eberson atmospheric theatres in the world. For generations, the theatre has served as a place that positively influences lives and effects changes.

Just months after celebrating her 90th Anniversary, the Palace Theatre received an unfortunate January surprise. Gallons and gallons of water were making their way down through the roof and into the balcony. It was soaking carpets, collapsing ceiling tiles, splitting drywall, and generally leaving a pretty big mess. The trail of evidence pointed to a failing roof. Staff members filled and emptied 55 gallon trash cans as fast as we could. And with a little help from some friends, a local crew cleaned up the mess and patched the roof…again. On top of that, the steady rains of this spring and early summer 2019 had rain pouring in through the roof on the east side of the auditorium. We had water running down through the ceiling and into the walls; even running out from the beautiful stained glass, under balcony light fixtures.

With exterior issues causing interior damage, the mission is reinforced. The Palace Board of Directors, management, and staff are committed to the Palace’s driving statement: “…to preserve and promote the historic Palace Theatre.”

With this most recent deterioration of the roof, the need for the preservation of this iconic building is underscored and the importance of raising funds to maintain the Theatre’s exterior surfaces is the priority.  Without a new roof on the 1928 building, the beauty of our theatre will be lost.  The future of this facility is at risk.

To repair the failing roof, we must remove the existing roof, bring everything up to code, and re-roof the historic Marion Palace Theatre. We will also be addressing the exterior walls — tuck pointing and sealing the brick, replacing steel lintels, flashings, copings, broken terra cotta, and more. The price tag for this project is daunting. We must raise $1.1 million. In order to meet this challenge, the PCAA has launched a “Rai$e the Roof” fundraising campaign inviting organizations and individuals in the community to contribute to the cause.

The board and management are working with State Representative Tracy Richardson to apply for State Capital Budget monies, as we did for our front façade project. With her help and voice, we hope to receive half of the funds from the State. If the Palace is awarded this competitive grant, monies will be distributed Spring 2020.

While we are on our way, having raised some of the needed funds to match dollar for dollar the monies we are seeking from the State. We still need help from friends of the Palace like you.

Please consider giving to this worthy cause. The Palace Cultural Arts Association of Marion, Ohio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by IRS code. Our goal is to raise pledged funds and cash contributions by January 31, 2020. To help restore the Palace, please send designated contributions to:

Marion Palace Theatre Rai$e the Roof Campaign
276 W Center St
Marion, OH 43302

To view the full brochure which outlines the scope of work, as well as providing a commitment card for you to print PLEASE CLICK HERE.  For more information, contact the Palace Theatre Box Office during box office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm by phone 740-383-2101. Thank you in advance for your generous support of this important project.

 

June 2020 project update – COVID 19 Impacts Roofing Project:

While we had not been 100% certain we would receive State capital budget funding for our Re-Roof the Palace project, we were certainly hopeful and it seemed very promising that we would. Unfortunately due the economic impact on the entire State of Ohio, those funds are no longer being awarded, leaving us with another $500,000 to raise to complete the entire Re-Roof project.

Are you able to help? We have a matching fund challenge in place that doubles up to 100 Guardian ($250) donations, 100 ($100) Centurion donations, and 400 ($25) Palace 400 donations. Larger gifts are welcomed and appreciated and can be pledged or paid over the next 5 years. We appreciate whatever you can do to help us replace the roof, repair the masonry, and replace the flashings, lintels, copings, and more. Your consideration is appreciated.  To download and print a commitment card PLEASE CLICK HERE. 

Bev Ford, Executive Director Marion Palace Theatre

Bev Ford,
Executive Director
Marion Palace Theatre

THE IMPACT:
  1. Preservation of the Palace Theatre’s beautiful interior
  2. Continued operation of the facility and programming
  3. Growth of arts education & participation for all ages
  4. A strong contribution to our community’s tourism and economy
  5. Critical presence to an improved sense of place and livability for Marion
THE WORK:
  • Replacement of damaged and structurally compromised roof decking
  • Upgrade of the existing rigid roof insulation system to current Ohio Building Code standards
  • Replacement of the asphalt shingle roofing of the fly space penthouse and EPDM rubber roof
  • Repair/re-pointing/re-building of damaged exterior masonry walls with materials that match the original brick and terra cotta
  • Repair/repointing/re-building brick masonry parapet walls and chimneys
  • Removal/replacement of rusted steel masonry lintels and vitrified clay copings
  •  Repair/replacement of roof vents, scuppers, and roof ladders
  • The work includes mechanical and electrical engineering necessary to maintain/upgrade code complying ventilation systems and other electrical items such as exterior lighting and power for existing systems that must be maintained.
THE $1.1M CHALLENGE:

Through a competitive application process, we will request State funding for up to half the project cost — $550,000. We are required locally to raise a full match to acquire State funding. Knowing that requirement, with the assistance of John C. Keggan, Emeritus Director and honorary chair, the Fundraising Committee has already raised $310,000 from Palace Perpetual Care disbursements and loyal friends of the Palace. But we still have work to do! If you have made a pledge or written a check, thank you! Your gift to this project is appreciated. If you’ve not done so, would you? This exterior project is critical to the future of this iconic facility. We need your support. To help “Rai$e the Roof,” please complete the attached commitment form HERE and return it to the Palace.

 

2019-2020 “RAISE THE ROOF” BROCHURE

2019-2020 PRINTABLE “RAISE THE ROOF” PLEDGE FORM

 

Current PCAA Board of Directors
Sue Jacob, Chair
Drew Ellerkamp, Vice Chair
Gary Branson, Treasurer
Emily Yaksic, Secretary
Mike Stuckey, Immediate Past Chair
Angie Beam
Daniel Bradshaw
Ryan Campbell
Clare Cooke
Barb Greetham
Luke Henry
David Kasmenn
Scott Ruth
Tom Schifer
Kevin Smith
Bill Tabbert
Deb Widrig
John C. Keggan, Emeritus Director

Fundraising Committee
Sue Jacob, Chair
John C. Keggan, Honorary Chair
Jeff Baldauf
Dan & Bonnie Borders
Ryan Campbell
Chelsea Sims Carbary
Drew Ellerkamp
Bev Ford
Kathy Goodman
Barb Greetham
Dr. David Mauk
Dr. Jay Moodley
Kevin Smith
Lowell Thurston
Deb Widrig

PCAA Endowment Board
Gary Branson, President
Drew Ellerkamp, Vice President
Ted Babich, Treasurer
Tom Frericks, Secretary
Jeff Baldauf
Ron Cramer
Luke Henry
John C. Keggan
Mike Stuckey