Following high winds that damaged the Finch Theatre’s awning earlier this fall, the theatre recently received a facelift with a new awning, thanks to the work of Jim Metz, Assistant Trust Officer at Citizen State Bank and Trust Co., and others.
“Jim has been fantastic,” said Dawn Harlow, Lincoln County Clerk.
The awning was replaced in November. Metz, Harlow said, applied for a grant with the Post Rock Community Foundation.
“We’re very thankful to them,” Metz said.
The Foundation requested $9,725.32 to complete the project, which PRCF granted.
The awning was installed by Ash Enterprises, Harlow said, which is a company based out of Salina. In addition, Tari Donley installed iron[a] which will help combat deterioration from birds, Harlow said.
“We are trying to preserve [the theatre],” Metz said.
Marci Metz and other individuals also helped with painting, Harlow said.
In addition to the new awning installation, the Finch Theatre also received a new sign with LED lights instead of fluorescent, Metz said.
Apple One Media of Belleville installed the sign in January. The sign was damaged by hail a few years ago,
rendering the lights inoperable, according to the grant application.
In addition to the changes on the outside, the Finch Theatre raised funds through a raffle ticket sale for interior renovations, Metz said. The winners of the raffle won a year’s worth of movie passes for the theatre.
Metz said it is important to preserve the theatre for the community as a whole since many local businesses and other entities utilize the space for events and meetings, in addition to movie watching.
“I just hope [the community sees] we are trying to keep our wonderful theatre and community room moving forward,” he said. “We’re just trying to maintain what’s such an important part to our community.”
By Hailey Dixon for the Lincoln Sentinel and edited to include updated information
