Warner waits on bond commission vote

$1 million grant would fix theater’s leaky roof

TORRINGTON — The agenda for the last scheduled meeting of the year for the state Bond Commission Thursday includes the consideration of a $1 million grant for the Warner Theatre.

The grant would help replace the roof, said theater Executive Director Lynn Gelormino.

“It’s over 20 years old and it’s flat and rubberized,” she said.

“It’s a very large roof,” Gelormino added, and it covers the 1,700-seat auditorium and the lobby.

The leaking roof has affected the adjacent masonry, and caused damage to the interior of the building, Gelormino said. The theater’s board and administrators completed a capital assessment plan two years ago, which totaled $4.9 million, she said.

The roof repairs were considered the most urgent, Gelormino said.

“The Warner Theatre is a staple not only in Torrington, but in the Northwest corner region,” state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, wrote in a statement. “This historical landmark has been an integral part of Torrington since 1931, and improvements are needed.”

“I hope it will go through (and be approved),” said Gelormino. “We know what’s needed and it needs to be done sooner rather than later.”

The initial request to the bond commission was for $4 million, Cook said Monday.

“We asked for the gold figure and then see what we can get,” she said in her statement. “We’re excited for the amount to be $1 million.”

The funding would be provided through the state’s Grants-in-Aid for Urban Development program, according to the commission’s agenda.

”Our theatre welcomes over 100,000 patrons annually with diverse performances and educational opportunities that our community has come to depend on,” Cook wrote. “We want to maintain the structure,” she said.

“There are a variety of funding mechanisms,” for future grants, Cook wrote.

“Their (theater) board does a good job and turns over every stone to find funding.”

”We’re very grateful,” Gelormino said,” for the request to be considered by the commission.

According to the agenda, the Warner Theatre’s request through the Grants-in-Aid for Urban Development program is the only one in Litchfield County to be considered for the funding.

Another notable performing arts grant request is for nearly $303,000 for infrastructure improvements for the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

Contributed photo The Warner Theatre attracts nationally known productions such as “Avenue Q.”