An effort to raise matching funds for the first phase of a renovation effort at the REES Theatre in Plymouth has paid off.
REES Project Committee members announced Thursday that the goal to secure a $300,000 Regional Cities matching grant was secured on the deadline day of Wednesday, Oct. 31 just before midnight. Community donations were still being taken at the Marshall County Museum as of Wednesday afternoon.
The $1.5 million goal took eight months to achieve but there is still money to be raised to continue with the second phase of the re-purposing project by the theatre’s 80th anniversary in 2020. Fundraising will continue through the end of 2018 and throughout 2019 to raise the balance of $3.64 million which includes an endowment fund.
The idea is to create a community-minded facility where more than just a movie can be hosted at the Plymouth downtown iconic structure. Live-theatre, community gatherings, concerts, movies and other events are at the forefront of plans for the building once updates are made.
