Work continues at Park Theater

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

What used to the be the Park Theater needs a lot of work, Park Theater Group events committee chairman Kory Boyd says. Members of the group are involved in a variety of efforts to restore it.

Just because Main Street has been under construction doesn’t mean the work of the Park Theater Group has stopped.

While its front door has been a staging ground for construction out on the street and not inside, members of the group have been engaged in a number of activities over the past year, all for the benefit of bringing the old theater back to life.

PTG special events committee chairman Kory Boyd said there is still a tremendous amount of interest in revitalizing the theater, where old Social Security offices have been completely torn out and the shell of the old theater stands ready for improvements.

“We have 300 charter members who started with us, 15 board members and I have five special events committee members, and then we have people who come volunteer their time for any activities that we have,” Boyd said of the present level of interest. “Just because we haven’t had people in here or because the street has been closed, people are still working on this.”

The group is presently sponsoring a musical show with special guest Ernie Ashworth of Grand Ole Opry fame and a capital campaign is being planned, with a formal announcement expected in a few months.

They have also been consulting with the East Tennessee Design Center to come up with design concepts free of charge. With proper funding, Boyd said, the group can start reconstruction of the beloved building, beginning with restoring the marquee, which he said will require extensive and pricey updates.

Additionally, once West Main Street re-opens to traffic, movie trivia, which was a source of sponsorship for the non-profit group, is to begin again.

“We got a lot of response from when we had it,” Boyd said.

The group is currently presenting an On the Road Again Show from Viola, along with bluegrass music from the Warren Family and are anticipating a special appearance by Ashworth April 15 at 7 p.m. at Warren County Middle School. Tickets, which are $5 for adults, are available at the door. Admission is free for children 12 and under.