May 15, 2017
Dear Friend of the Rialto Theater:
As always, we want to keep our donors and friends like you informed of our progress with the Historic Rialto Theater. Below please find the latest since our last newsletter.
Fundraising News
- The biggest news is that just last week, Richard Thomas of the Florence Building Department granted us a Certificate of Occupancy for the first floor of the Rialto Theater! This is great news, in that now we can host a lot of events that will ultimately help us to raise more funds so we can completely finish the renovation!
- Last December, Chili’s Restaurant in Canon City allowed the Rialto Theater Board of Directors and friends with the opportunity to serve up a Saturday breakfast to our supporters. This helped us raise over $1,000.
- A Bad Year for Tomatoes, a performance put on by the Fremont County Theater (FCT), was a smashing success, with over 900 people in attendance over six shows. All proceeds were donated to the Rialto Theater. The total raised including a cash bar was $9,948.00.
- Board member Donna Murphy put together an exhibition of paintings by Suzanne Phipps, who was instrumental in accomplishing a lot for the Rialto Theater. One of Suzanne’s paintings was sold through the Artists Gallery in Canon City. The exhibition then traveled to The Quality Inn. Proceeds netted more than $600.
- “State of the City”, a breakfast meeting open to the public by the City of Florence, was held in February of this year. The event was supported primarily by local businesses and helped raise $3,300 for the Rialto Theater renovation project.
- The Florence Chamber of Commerce gave our theater a donation in the amount of $1,061.25, which represents half of the profits from the Coal Car Races held on Pioneer Day of 2016.
- The Rialto Theater is currently participating in “Chili’s Payback”. For the first 4 Mondays in May, a portion of proceeds from food sales (10%) will be donated to the theater. So if you have the opportunity, please eat at Chili’s on Mondays this month!
Construction News
Many projects have been completed since our last newsletter. They are:
- The fabulous neon Rialto Theater sign was repaired by Big Dog Signs. If you haven’t seen it at night, it is a must see! It signifies the fact that the Rialto Theater is coming back to life!
- Tuck pointing of the brick work on the exterior of the building was completed by All Mason Services, Inc. All spaces and holes have been plugged up, and all of our efforts should permanently prevent bats from settling into the walls of the theater. Terminex was hired to thoroughly clean and disinfect bat residual from the interior.
- Restroom partitions have been installed in the theater’s 4 restrooms. Additionally, handicap stalls were completed with the addition of handrails around two sides of each handicap toilet.
- A handicap ramp leading to fire exit doors was completed by board member and contributor Larry Baker.
- An insulated drop ceiling was installed in the theater space by Bergeman Brothers Construction prior to January’s play “A Bad Year for Tomatoes”.
- Energy efficient theater ceiling lighting was installed by Skyline Electrical Contractors, LLC. 78 recessed LED lighting fixtures were installed, along with dimmer switches.
- Heating, ventilation and cooling needs were addressed by Moore’s Heating & Cooling. Thirty four air supply diffusers and 4-ways as well as 10 return air vents were installed, completing all of the theater’s HVAC needs.
- The Rialto Theater’s fire suppression system was mounted into the grid ceiling and thoroughly tested by Mark Radtke of Simplex Grinnell Company. The theater’s entire fire suppression system is now complete and finished.
- Eight solid-core commercial doors, 6 interior and 2 exterior, were purchased. The doors were installed by Skypine Builders.
- The exterior fire ramp on the west side of the building has now been completed by Skypine Builders. A concrete handicap accessible exit ramp, drainage system, and handrails were just recently finished.
- Handrails were designed and fabricated by Rialto Theater board member Ken Trusty. The handrails are for the two sets of stairs on either side of the stage, as well as for the handicap ramp and stairs leading to the west exit.
- Our board is currently working with Denver architect Robert Armon to design the theater entrance, which will include two double commercial double glass doors and a ticket booth.
- A comprehensive construction plan with costs associated for each aspect of the project was developed and completed by our board in March. The costs are broken down for the two major budget areas- cost to complete construction and cost for equipment necessary (curtains, light, sound, projection, seating, etc.) to operate the theater in the best way possible.
Board News
Long time board member Richard Baker resigned as President of the Rialto Theater Board of Directors in 2016. Board member Ron Hinkle was elected to replace Dick and was reelected in 2017. Our sincere thanks to Dick for his many years and hours as a member of the Board Directors and during the transition years.
A new board member was recently added. Kathy Seidling, who works for Rocky Mountain Bank & Trust, has joined our board and has been elected to the position of Treasurer. This will enable Marty Burleson to concentrate her energies on being Secretary of the board.
Other News
Board member Donna Murphy met with the Fremont County Historical Committee in January. The committee granted the Rialto Theater historical designation. We will receive an official plaque with our new designation.
How can YOU help?
Please consider making a generous donation to FACT- Rialto Theater. Your contribution of $200 or more will qualify for a Colorado State tax credit of 25%, and it will really help us complete the Rialto Theater Renovation project.
King Soopers/City Market card holders can donate to FACT (Florence Architectural and Cultural Traditions- AKA Rialto Theater). Just call the number on the back of your card and select “Community Care”. You will then receive instructions on how to select FACT to receive your community percentage.
If you shop on Amazon, please go to www.smile.amazon.com and sign up for a small piece of your purchases to go toward FACT- Rialto Theater.
Please consider becoming a “Friend of the Rialto”. For a minimum of $200 a year, or as little as $20 a month, you will become a Friend of the Rialto. This can be a recurring annual donation or an automatic monthly withdrawal from you checking or savings account.
Keep up with the News!
You can regularly keep up with all of the news regarding the historic Rialto Theater by going to the following sites:
www.facebook.com/rialtotheaterflorence
As always, thanks so much for being an important part of the historic Rialto Theater!
Sincerely,
Rialto Theater Board of Directors
Ron Hinkle – President,
Todd Williams – Vice President,
Larry Baker – Project Chair,
Marty Burleson – Secretary,
Donna Murphy- Archives,
Nancy Fenyves, Fundraising,
Steve Steele-Project Committee,
Ken Trusty-Project
