Matching Funds: Energy Renovation Upgrade

Turn Your $1 Into $2.66

Olympic Theatre Arts has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Building for the Arts (BFA) Grant. If the budget is approved by the state legislature, $154,000 will be made available to OTA for energy renovations which are designed to future-proof the facility, tackle major repairs needed, and reduce operating costs. The BFA Grant will reimburse 33% of these renovation expenses (up to $154,000). The total project is budgeted at $535,000 of which close to $225,000 has already been raised and implemented. Repairs will include a new roof, solar panels, new HVAC systems, new stage lighting, landscape conversion, an added storage building, and an added outdoor public space. Once completed, all major systems of the building will have been replaced, allowing the next generation of artists to invest in their art. 

Matching Funds Campaign

Cathy Grant, Phil Merlin, Susan Pressman, Pat Zettas, and an anonymous donor are offering a $55,000 matching fund campaign. Every dollar donated will be matched by one of theirs up to a total of $55,000. When combined with the 33% BFA Reimbursement Grant it’s a double match that turns each $1 donated into $2.66. If completed it will raise $146,300towards the total energy renovation.

Energy Renovation Upgrade

Solar Panel Installation and New Roof: Acquire and install solar panels on the building's roof surfaces (after they are renovated to accommodate the panels) and tie those panels into the grid to reduce the organization's energy needs. Evaluations show that solar panels would reduce the theater's energy bills by over $240 per month, a significant savings for our non-profit organization.

New HVAC Systems: Redesign and reconfigure the HVAC system to better meet the facilities' needs for year-long climate control, near-silent operation, and multi-room coverage and zones. The facility is a blend of a 100 year old former church, its associated offices and basement, and new spaces that were added when the original theater conversion happened a few decades ago. HVAC for these various components is piece-meal and inefficient, so the renovation would tie all these needs into a comprehensive package. Units that are mounted above the theater would be relocated so their operation does not interfere with performances. Ductwork would be improved to more efficiently generate conditioned air among the various rooms and spaces. Updated equipment would operate with less energy demand and also deliver higher grade performance.

Lighting Grid: Convert the current incandescent lights to LED lights; modify and expand the lighting grid to accommodate these new lights; and acquire tools and accessories (e.g., motors, special effects generators) that compliment the new lights' capabilities. The facility consists of a Main Stage Theatre for large productions (160+ seats, full stage) and a Gathering Hall for smaller productions that also serves as a reception hall, meeting space, or studio/gallery, depending on configuration. These LED lights on a renovated grid with the accessories installed will dramatically enhance the production capabilities in both of these spaces while also reducing energy impacts and maintenance costs.

Extend and Improve Exterior Spaces: The building currently has some open spaces that are filled with ground cover and plantings. This phase of the project would expand the building's exterior spaces by adding decking and outbuildings that overlay these open spaces. These changes would reduce the high cost of watering and labor of maintaining these open spaces and replace them with practical spaces that will expand potential performance spaces, and improve the viability of spaces that are already in place.

 Our goal has been to set up the creative makers of the next 30 years with tools and resources that are current, translate to the professional market, and can free forms of expression with minimal effort so that the artists can focus on creating great work.  

Please consider being a part of this movement towards improving the theatre, securing its future, and contributing to our community.