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SKOWHEGAN

Town solicits donations for Opera House sprinkler system

By Doug Harlow dharlow@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- It has been a year since the state Fire Marshal's Office told the town it would have to install a sprinkler system for fire suppression in the historic Skowhegan Opera House or face a possible end to concerts there.

Now, with about $24,000 raised for the estimated $130,000 project, Town Manager John Doucette Jr. is sending out letters seeking donations. He said a water-sprinkler system must be installed in the entire building, but the fundraising will be just for the Opera House.

Doucette said he knows these are hard economic times, but the future of shows at the Opera House is at stake.

"We put some money into the reserve account at town meeting; last year it was $20,000, and we requested $20,000 this year," Doucette said. "We're doing some little fundraisers for money for dress-down days, but that's why I'm looking at these letters, and hopefully we can get some contributions from organizations in town. The Fire Marshal could say no more events up there until we get a sprinkler system in."

Doucette said the letters are going out to banks, local businesses and manufacturers.

He said that in the past year or so, big-name performers such as musicians Leon Russell, Ani DeFranco and Johnny Winter have performed at the Opera House. Recently, Maine comedian Bob Marley performed there, and legendary bluesman James Cotton is scheduled for April 3.

The popular "An Evening With the Stars" also fills the house, as do dance recitals each year by Sally's Top Hat, the Bradley School of Dance and other local dance companies, Doucette said.

And with the attention generated by performances at the Opera House has come more visitors to Skowhegan and to local businesses, he said.

"Now that the word has gotten out about this, more promoters are interested in bringing shows here," Doucette says in the letter. "We realize that you are often approached for donations and that times are tough right now, but we hope that you are willing to consider this as a worthwhile donation."

The building also houses all of Skowhegan's municipal offices, as well as the Police Department.

Built in 1907 on the site of the former Heselton House hotel, the Skowhegan Opera House seats just under 850 people in a renovated, but historically correct concert hall.

Major renovations were completed in 1978. In 2000, new seats and a fire alarm system were installed, and in 2008, the municipal offices were renovated.

The cost of renovations in 2000 -- new windows, floors and seating -- was more than $250,000, all paid for through fundraising and not from local taxes, Doucette said.

Doug Harlow -- 474-9534

dharlow@centralmaine.com