Strand Theater completes energy efficiency upgrades and so much more!

After purchasing the Strand Theater in 2013, the Foundation was well aware there were lots of improvements to be done if the theater was to remain a viable community hub. Shortly after the purchase was made, a capital campaign was started to raise the necessary funds to make all the improvements. In a short time, approximately $200,000.00 was raised through donations, fund raising events, and grants received.

One of the priorities was to become more energy efficient, thereby saving money on monthly utility and fuel bills. In 2019 we applied for and received a grant for $20,000.00 through the Metropolitan Edison Company Endowed Sustainable Energy Fund of Berks County Community Foundation.

This grant is given out annually to only one non-profit located within Met-Ed’s service area and we were ecstatic to learn we were the chosen one! Once we received the grant award notification, we immediately started to work on the project, since we only had one year to complete the task. Funding allowed us to become more energy efficient by converting our oil burners to gas, adding a mini split heating/air conditioning unit in the auditorium, installing lowflow toilets and faucets in the bathrooms and adding programmable thermostats. In addition, there were several lighting improvements made including replacing the old sconce lights with new LED lighting, purchasing additional lighting for the auditorium which will now enable us to rent the theater to groups wishing to hold workshops and meetings, and switching out all the incandescent light fixtures to LED.

It is hard to believe that Our Town Foundation has owned the theater for over seven years. During those several years we have made numerous other improvements, all made possible by the donations and grant we received. Here is a list of improvements made to date: Installed a digital projector, a new film screen and a Dolby surround sound system

Closed off the bathroom that was downstairs and adding two additional bathrooms to the main level Refurbished the neon marquee and the

entry doors to the theater Stage improvements including laying hardwood flooring on the stage area

Converted from oil to gas heat Added mini split air conditioning and heating units to the party room, concession area, and auditorium Improvements to lighting and adding LED lights above the aisle and seating area

Laid a new rubber roof over the theater

and garage areas Repointed the exterior brick wall New flooring behind the concession

area

Replaced the outside sidewalk cellar

door

Painted both the interior and exterior of

the property

Purchased closed caption devices for

the hearing impaired

Added a point of sale system Purchased a new popcorn machine, ice machine, beverage cooler and other misc. concession equipment Made numerous improvements to the

two apartments above the theater Long term future goals include new carpeting, new seating and paying off the mortgage. Unfortunately, the theater has been shuttered since March due to COVID, but we hope to reopen in the near future. If you have not visited the Hamburg Strand Theater lately, please plan a visit so you can see this renewed community hub.