County approves grant for auditorium renovations


The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, performing in Flagler County in 2013. (Photo by Shanna Fortier.)
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, performing in Flagler County in 2013. (Photo by Shanna Fortier.)
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Stage floors generally last about 15 years. The Flagler Auditorium’s is 23 years old, but it won’t be for long.

The County Commission approved the Auditorium Governing Board’s request for $150,000 grant from the Capital Improvement Public Tourism Funding to replace the auditorium’s stage, modernize the lobby and add additional lighting and signage.

“Even though we are asking for the money, I believe in return we bring that much money, if not more, back into the community,” Flagler Auditorium Director Lisa McDevitt said at the commission meeting Aug. 5.

In a form submitted with the grant request, McDevitt wrote that the changes would “entice more residents and out-of-county visitors to attend performances in Flagler versus surrounding and competing venues.”

Improved signage, she wrote, “will allow for better advertising of auditorium events and packaging with hotels and restaurants.”

The upcoming changes will be the first phase of project that will require at least three phases to complete. The future phases would add an “additional lobby, exhibit, meeting, restroom and office space, improve disability access, additional concession and sales, and improvements to the backstage and performer facilities,” she wrote.

The auditorium received about $65,000 in Tourism Development Council grants from 2009-2013.

The 1,000-seat auditorium has already booked the U.S. Air Force Concert Band, a presentation of Swan Lake by the State Ballet of Russia, a presentation of A Christmas Carol, and other performances for the upcoming season.

To view the season schedule, visit flaglerauditorium.org and click “Events.”
 

 

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