The citizen group that’s working on rehabilitating The Times Theater has reached an agreement to accept the building and begin fundraising.
“The Times Theater is excited to announce it has begun raising funds to reopen as a community arts center where residents and visitors can come to enjoy and experience classic and second-run films, visual art exhibitions, music concerts and theatrical productions,” a social media post said. “The Times will provide a much needed venue for the vibrant community of artists, musicians and actors already in North Central Indiana.”
Fulton Economic Development Corp. Director Terry Lee said FEDCO is accepting the donated building for now. “FEDCO, as a 501(c)(3) will take it while the theater group is completing their application for a 501(c)(3). FEDCO is just a transitional owner,” Lee said.
The group has worked slowly as it raised the money for its nonprofit status among itself and negotiated for taking over the building.
Owner Ken Hoff is donating it because of the community interest it will serve, Lee said.
The Times Theater board of directors is comprised of Tim Wagoner, Renee Frenger, Andrea Shufelt, Evan and Emily Gottschalk, Phyllis Dausman and Julie Sutton. It formed out of several meetings beginning in late January, when a callout meeting at the Fulton County Public Library drew more than 60 people interested in restoring and reopening the theater.
The movie theater closed Jan. 1, 2014. It needed costly upgrades to show firstrun movies.