LCRA, Lockhart award $25,000 grant to improve historic theater facilities

​​​​​Local Communities
LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Gaslight-Baker Theatre for improvements to its facilities. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Carol Januszeski, Gaslight-Baker Theatre board member; Doug Foster, extended board member; John Lairsen, board member; Tim Peterson, board member; Tammy Francis, board president; Rick Arnic, LCRA Governmental Affairs representative; and Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member.

The Gaslight-Baker Theatre’s century-old Swearingen Building will get modern wiring and a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, thanks to a $25,000 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Lockhart.

The theater will use the Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $17,256 in local matching funds, to make facility improvements to the Swearingen Building next door to the theater. The work entails bringing the electrical system up to code, adding insulation and installing an HVAC system.

The improvements will increase the theater’s ability to provide services to the community, including a planned expansion of the theater camp for students. The theater can use the space for rehearsals or to produce smaller shows without interfering with the major productions being hosted at the theater next door. The additional space also can be used by community groups and artists for events.

“The interest in our community theater, and consequently the number of theater productions, has grown,” says John Lairsen, Gaslight-Baker Theatre board member. “We need to start rehearsing for the next production before we’ve completed the current one. Making these improvements to the adjacent building gives us more rehearsal space, as well as the flexibility to host additional smaller productions throughout the year.”

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Lockhart is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted Jan. 1-31, 2019. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.

Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org


Source: LCRA Business News

Share This Post

Add Comment

84 − 78 =