Members and volunteers with the Tamaqua Community Arts Center (TCAC) are holding a Renovation Dedication and 2nd-Year Anniversary Celebration on Friday Friday, February 28, 2014 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the center.
The free event, sponsored by TCAC, will showcase the newly renovated concert hall and include performances by “Justus” and “Rock Street Park”.
New renovations to the concert hall include a wall-to-wall stage, 12′ deep, professional stage lighting, pews replaced with 66 revitalized theater seats and pub tables with bar stools, central air conditioning, new wall-to-wall carpeting, fresh coat of paint, renovated bathroom and so much more.
Leona Rega, center coordinator, said renovations started January 6 if this year and included hundreds of paid and volunteer man-hours. She gave appreciations to about 30 volunteers and a number of local contractors that worked together to make the transformation a success.
“This project has truly been a labor of love developed and brought to reality by many people,” said Rega.
“The center honors the legacy of the former church that once operated here,” said Jack Kulp, Chairman, Center’s Board of Directors. “This center will grow to serve as the best live music venue in the tri-state area.”
Leona and Kulp stated the center’s appreciation to both L & S Electrical Construction of Summit Hill and Hy-Grade Building Systems of New Ringgold for their tireless work during the construction. “Both contractors went above and beyond our expectations,” said Kulp.
“We had fun do this,” said Larry McCullion, owner of L & S Electrical Construction.
In addition, Ziegler’s Towing and Auto Repair of Hometown revitalized 66 classic theater seats to be used as the primary seating venue for spectators. These seats were originally owned by the Tamaqua Little Theater on West Broad Street. They were stored in the Pine Street garage all these years.
“The center provides an opportunity for undiscovered talents,” said Rega. “It also provides an appreciation for the future of arts in Tamaqua.”
“Congratulations Tamaqua,” said center volunteer Linda Yulanavage. “Thank you to the dedicated volunteers and staff that has made this possible.”
“Even if you can’t make it to Friday’s celebration, make it a point to stop by and enjoy some of the many activities and classes that happen at the center all the time,” added Yulanavage.
“This is simply awesome,” said volunteer Kyle Whitley, referring to all the improvements done since the center opened.
In early 2012 the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership purchased the former Salem United Methodist Church building, 125 Pine Street, with a view toward making it a center for creative community activities.
At the time TACP Executive Director Micah Gursky said, “Our hope is to develop a center open to everyone that could serve as a performance venue, art studio, instructional workshop and other similar creative uses.”
“This was always my dream for the Center, but I truly thought I’d be long dead before it was realized,” added Kulp. “It still seems like I’m I’m dreaming.”
Any donations received will benefit the Chris Banditelli Memorial Fund.
For more information, visit the event on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/275463825951651, via the center’s website at www.TamaquaArts.org or call (570) 668-1192.