By Stephen Smoot
The springtime sun worked to warm the late afternoon meeting as trees and flowering plants just started to reveal their buds. Surrounded by the sights, sounds, and even smells of Mother Nature waking up from her winter slumber, the Warner’s Drive-In board of directors met to discuss both short term and long-term plans for the popular venue.
The meeting took place last Thursday on the picnic tables in front of the concession stand. Behind the group sat the recently renovated bathrooms, as well as a freshly graded access drive. French drains installed near the bathrooms will help to prevent excessive rain runoff going forward.
The group first heard about a successful round of fundraising. As of the time of the meeting and with more money pledged, the group had raised $11,400 in sponsorships from supporters. One board member noted the amount was “more than expected.”
Though the slate of films has not yet been finalized, the May 24 season opener may lead with the film version of the 80s television hit program “The Fall Guy,” which will star Ryan Gosling. Jessica Basagic explained that “we have a lot of kids’ movies,” with a film based on the Garfield comic strip, “Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4,” and others among the possibilities.
One option that could bring in the crowds is the long-awaited sequel to the 90s hit film “Twister,” entitled “Twisters,” which would play in August, if selected.
Group members also discussed possibilities for October, which could include “Beetlejuice 2,” and even a potential special holiday showing in the first week of December.
“We’ll fill out the schedule over time,” Basagic said.
Basagic also showed the group a number of T-shirt options printed off by Bear’s Choice Screen Printing and Dyes, a Sugar Grove based veteran owned business operated by Travis Rader. Rader took photographs of the theater grounds for inspiration and produced a number of solid and tie dyed options from which the board could pick.
Bob Davis provided an update on the project of building a musical stage in the foreground (but not covering) of the theater screen. He noted that it could be used for a broad spectrum of possible arts uses. In addition to the stage, plans also include renovating the inside of the screen structure to include a lobby, a green room for performers, and other amenities.
“Gail (Price) and I worked on the grant,” Davis shared. He explained that the total project cost approximated $180,000 and added that “we might get half of it. We might get all of it. We might get none of it,” but remained optimistic that the stage could be finished this year.
Davis also said that the grant received last year for $50,000 to refurbish the bathrooms was one of the largest issued by that particular grantor.
Tackling technical and infrastructure issues consumed a great deal of discussion. Dr. King Seeger first expressed that the group craft a systematic plan for winter storage of temperature sensitive equipment after this season.
The group also discussed use of different types of radios for the theater sound. Their next meeting will take place on May 16.
