The Carbondale Varsity Center for the Arts is getting ready to move in to its next phase of a three and a half million dollar renovation.
The center announced the beginning of phase three Tuesday which will include major improvements to the theater's façade and lobby area. The work will transform the outside of the building - similar to its original appearance in the 1940's. Carbondale Mayor Don Monty says the project is an important part of the city's downtown.
Varsity Center for the Arts President Pete Pirmann says this phase will take about 18-months depending on how quickly fundraising progresses. They expect it will cost between $350,000 and $750,000 to renovate the facade, lobby, and gallery area. He says now that the designs are compete, they will jump-start their capital campaign. Tuesday the Arnold Family Trust donated $25,000 to help seed the fund raising effort for the center. The Varsity center for the Arts opened in 2008 in the old Varsity Theater. It is a multi-purpose performance venue and home to the Jackson County Stage Company and its productions.
The renovations have been aided by numerous grants and donations. Pirmann says he expects the capital campaign to soon get back up to full speed.