The deadline has come and gone for donations to match a Regional Cities grant for renovations to the REES Theater, but the deadline was extended to allow for more time to gather the match money needed.
Committee member Randy Danielson said the deadline extension was approved as there was some flood damage to equipment that needed attention.
“The water really didn’t reach any of the exterior doors,” said Danielson. “The basement that houses the boilers for the building, that is sub-grade below the alley, came up through floor drains and it was something we could not prevent. What efforts we did to pump it it didn’t keep up. It just continued to rise to the level of the river. We’re not sure if the boilers can be saved from that.
Regional Cities has offered a $300,000 match and extended the deadline to June 30 in order for the committee to show in-kind and philanthropic donations up to $1.94 million for the funding. Monetary donations are also included. The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission recently approved $575,000 in donations over several years toward the renovation effort. Many more have graciously donated toward the revival of the decades-old downtown iconic structure.
Until then, work continues to make the REES Theatre a host to many different types of gatherings in the City of Plymouth.
Donna Pontius says efforts to gather donations continue.
“We’re still continuing our fundraising efforts. We’re going out and talking to individuals and businesses asking for four-year pledges or they can pay it all in one year if they’d like to do that too. It’s not only for the ongoing support to get the building finished, but it’s also for our endowment fund to keep the facility moving forward in the future,” said Pontius.
For more information on the endowment fund, call the Marshall County Community Foundation at 574-935-5159.
