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Renovation
Celebration at St. Clair Memorial Hall
Saturday, October 10th
Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall, a historic Darke County treasure opened
in 1912, has recently undergone an extensive interior renovation funded
by a grant overseen by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. A
“Renovation Celebration” recognizing those who made these improvements
possible will be hosted by Darke County Endowment for the Arts on Oct.
10. The event begins with an open house where guests can tour the
building from 6-7 p.m. and will conclude with a ceremony from 7-7:30
p.m. in the Anna Bier Civic Room honoring those who contributed to this
restoration which returns the building to its former state of beauty
and usefulness.
Senate President Keith Faber, Senator Bill Beagle, and Representative
Jim Buchy, whose legislative efforts made possible the funds
underwriting this project, have been invited to attend the ceremony so
that their good work on behalf of the citizens of Darke County can be
appropriately honored. Additionally, the local vendors whose work
helped create the beautiful result will be recognized.
According to Matt Jordan, project manager, all key components of the
restoration were completed on schedule before the start of school for
students at Greenville Junior High, who use the building on a daily
basis. In addition to plaster repair and painting, new seats and
flooring have been installed in the auditorium, and new curtains adorn
the proscenium stage; additionally, technical upgrades to sound and
lighting will enhance all events occurring on-stage. The beautifully
refurbished main entry doors are in place, with proper locks, new glass
and seals to help with energy costs.
“The Anna Bier Gallery now has state-of-the-art lighting, plus new
carpet and newly painted walls; the carpet in the Civic Room was also
replaced, and the walls redone,” Mr. Jordan stated.Darke County
Endowment for the Arts has contributed to many improvements in St.
Clair Memorial Hall, and long pondered a campaign to raise funds to
keep the aging facility viable as an arts center. In early 2014, DCEA
engaged Mr. Jordan, who has extensive experience in theatre, to
determine actual costs necessary for a much-needed renovation of the
beloved building.
As that process was in its infancy, endowment officials were contacted
regarding submitting a proposal to the legislature for undertaking the
very project being contemplated. “Fortunately, Matt was able to pull
together everything that was needed for our submission, and thanks to
the support of Senate President Faber, Senator Beagle, Representative
Buchy, the St. Clair Memorial Hall project received $500,000 from the
state of Ohio,” explained Marilyn Delk, chair of DCEA Board of
Trustees.
As owner of the building, Greenville City Schools generously served as
overseers of the restoration project, in spite of the fact that the
district was already involved in other major construction. “We hope
that the Renovation Celebration adequately expresses our gratitude to
our legislators, the school, and all those who made this exciting
project become a reality,” Mrs. Delk concluded.
Following the Renovation Celebration, Darke County Center for the Arts
will open their 2015-2016 Artists Series season with an 8 p.m. concert
by songstress Lisa Biales. “We hope that those attending the
celebration will stay for the concert so they can experience the
enhanced features of the newly renovated Hall,” Mrs. Delk said. For
tickets to the concert, contact DCCA at 547-0908 or
dcca@centerforarts.net.
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