ASHEBORO, N.C. -
If you grew up in Asheboro at any point during the past 70 years, you know about the Sunset Theater. Since 1930, it's unleashed kids' imaginations and served as the exotic locale for many a first date.
Those days, however, are long gone.
Today, the Sunset Theater serves as a historic but worn home of plays, concerts and other small performances.
But when the City of Asheboro bought the theater a few years ago, officials saw something more than a dusty old movie house.
"That has, in my mind, always had the opportunity to be the icon of downtown Asheboro: the Sunset Theater on Sunset Avenue," said David Smith, Asheboro's mayor-elect.
But much must be done to bring the theater into the 21st century. Among the renovations are handicap-accessible bathrooms, a larger lobby and enough backstage space to accommodate performers and productions.
The city recently bought space adjoining the theater, and architects are drawing up plans for expansion and renovation. But a new day for the Sunset Theater won't dawn without a price.
"A project we have under way is to start a fundraising project to see if we can raise $1.2 million to finish the renovation," said Smith.
City officials won't put a timeline on the Sunset's renovations, but they seem convinced that the future of downtown Asheboro lies at the center of the historic theater.
Those days, however, are long gone.
Today, the Sunset Theater serves as a historic but worn home of plays, concerts and other small performances.
But when the City of Asheboro bought the theater a few years ago, officials saw something more than a dusty old movie house.
"That has, in my mind, always had the opportunity to be the icon of downtown Asheboro: the Sunset Theater on Sunset Avenue," said David Smith, Asheboro's mayor-elect.
But much must be done to bring the theater into the 21st century. Among the renovations are handicap-accessible bathrooms, a larger lobby and enough backstage space to accommodate performers and productions.
The city recently bought space adjoining the theater, and architects are drawing up plans for expansion and renovation. But a new day for the Sunset Theater won't dawn without a price.
"A project we have under way is to start a fundraising project to see if we can raise $1.2 million to finish the renovation," said Smith.
City officials won't put a timeline on the Sunset's renovations, but they seem convinced that the future of downtown Asheboro lies at the center of the historic theater.
