The night of Dec. 12 ushered in excitement about the future of the historic but dilapidated Lompoc theater building, as the Lompoc Theatre Project unveiled future renderings of what a renovated theater could look like.
“We are close, we are very close,” said Laurie Jervis, the project’s media chairperson. “We are just waiting on the Department of Finance. It’s at the state level now.”
As the Lompoc Theatre Project has been getting its renovation ducks in a row—planning and fundraising—it’s also been waiting to get the deed for the property, which is technically still under the ownership of the Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation, which bought the theater in 2006 with the intent to restore it. Transfer of the deed is still in escrow and is waiting on final approval from the state.
The property is encumbered by liens totaling almost $1 million, according to a fact sheet from the Lompoc Theatre Project. “We are now in escrow with the goal of removing those liens so we can finally take possession,” the fact sheet states.
“We hope that happens by the first quarter 2015. Only then can we undertake the fundraising campaign that we will need to complete renovations,” said Mark Herrier, president of the project’s board of directors. “We have been doing everything we can, including getting those renderings, for the last two years.”
The renderings, drawn up by Theatre Consultants—a global company with offices in the United States and the United Kingdom—include renovations to the existing structure, a new patio and support building, a larger lobby space, a relocated tack shed, and a rehearsal and event space.
“Simply refurbishing the theater was never an option. There are no dressing rooms. There is no loading dock. There is a tiny lobby space that is not adequate for a modern audience,” Herrier said. “We would be unable to attract the quality performers and recording artists without the proper support space.”
Plus, the theater needs to have disability access, elevators, additional bathrooms, and many other elements that weren’t required by building codes when it was originally built in 1927. The project also hopes to create a cultural center for the entire Lompoc community within the theater’s walls.
A senior project designer with Theatre Consultants, Benton Delinger, is from Lompoc, and he grew up with Herrier.
Herrier said Delinger reached out when he heard about the project and offered his services. The renderings were completed in October, and were approved after several board meetings and purchased from the company.
The total costs of new construction, renovation, and modern theatrical equipment will be around $5.75 million.
“Considering that the city of Merced just renovated their historic downtown theater for $18 million, we believe that, in Santa Barbara County, our renovation costs are reasonable and achievable,” Herrier said.
This article appears in Dec 18-25, 2014.