The construction of a new performing arts center for Scotts Valley is nearly underway, with many materials being utilized from what’s left of Bethany University’s theater.
The people of the Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center and the Scotts Valley Theater Guild might agree that it takes a village to create a performing arts center. They had created a successful theater at Bethany University, but when the school closed four years ago, they were artists in search of a venue.
The groups wondered if it was time to build their own theater. According to Ray Gorski, treasurer of Scotts Valley Performing Arts, Guild President Lee Besse was the driving force that made the construction of the building happen.
“When we first started out with our new idea, we talked to people like architects and they wanted $180,000 just for the drawings,” Besse said, “but a local professional stood up and said he would do it for free. Then others joined up volunteering to do glass work, ceilings, framing, and more.”
Besse asked Gorski if he would be in charge of demolishing the 9,000 square foot building owned by the City, which will charge $1 a year in rent. The same building that was once Scotts Valley’s Roller Rink.
“We went in and ripped and tore that place apart,” Gorski said. He solicited weekend volunteers to clear out the building, which meant taking down walls, recovering wood, and trying to reuse as much of the available materials as possible.
“We were going to just turn over the project to a large construction company and say ‘Call us when it’s done,’ but it became very clear that it would have taken years to do that,” Besse said. “We wanted to begin construction work right away because of the demand.”
Besse foresees 400 performances a year including theater, dance recitals, lectures, and other events for people who need a low cost community theater facility. Funding will come from ticket sales, ads in the programs, and community donations, which the Guild needs.
Gorski hopes to have performances by the end of summer and by the end of fall, the SVPA would like to present a production of the musical, “Cinderella.” He also said that the demolition is almost complete and then construction can begin for the interior of the Performing Arts Center.
The all-volunteer demolition team is still seeking volunteers to help with the demolition and construction.
Besse, who is transforming Bethany University into a conference center, just donated all the materials that SVPA put into the theater.
“In the last two weekends we went in and cleared the Bethany theater and moved it over into the new theater — seats, lights, curtains that we desperately needed,” Besse said. “This is a big thing — $300,000 of equipment. The next thing we will do is build the stage.”
Gorski believes the 235-seat theater will be the catalyst for the downtown Scotts Valley Development and for investors who want to build a downtown center. Housed in the same building as the Scotts Valley Library at 251-B Kings Village Rd., Gorski said, “the facility can be a boost for the city — drawing hundreds per night.”
He envisions restaurants and other entertainment spots opening up, Gorski said, “although a city center has been talked about for 20 years, I think it will happen because the economy has recovered.”
Contact svctheaterguild.com/ for more information and to donate.
There will be a workday at the Bethany Theater on Saturday June 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to remove as many reusable materials as possible for the new theater. Those interested in volunteering can contact Ray Gorski at 461-1715 or rg*******@sb*******.net.
