Efforts to raise money to reopen Miner’s Theatre continue

Miner’s Institute Foundation has now raised more than $7,000 toward its $105,000 goal for a new fire alarm system necessary to reopen the Miner’s Theatre in Collinsville.

The most recent fundraiser on June 20 at Glazy Squares added $470 to the pot. The total raised so far is $7,285.

The next public opportunity to help fund the alarm system, and the reopening of the Miner’s Theatre in general, will be when the Gateway Center is decorated with Christmas trees for its annual fundraising gala. Festival of Trees will take place from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The Gateway Center’s website states “unlimited” food and drinks will be made available to patrons as they make their way through 40,000-square-feet of holiday decor. The event will feature “one-of-a-kind” Christmas trees, wreaths and table centerpieces and tablescapes that visitors can bid on. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and hand-crafted glass ornaments for sale. An invitation is required to attend the event.

Previous fundraisers that contributed money to the new fire alarm system include:

▪  Crazy Bowl event at Camelot Bowl, which generated $2,805

▪  “Rockin’ for the Miners” benefit concert, which generated $3,010

▪  Ameren Illinois grant, which added $1,000

Miner’s Institute Foundation has been raising funds for improvements that are needed to make the theatre, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, accessible for people with disabilities and compliant with current building codes before it can reopen.

According to the theatre’s website, the work still needing to be completed to reopen the theatre — in addition to a fire alarm system with voice evacuation — includes building ADA-compliant restrooms, adding an automatic door opener, repairing plaster, insulation, upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, upgrading the electrical system, and installing code-compliant exit and egress lighting.

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Efforts to raise money to reopen Miner’s Theatre continue."