Varsity Theatre Task Force

On October 24, 2018, Town Council resolved to create the Varsity Theatre Task Force (Task Force), whose charge was to consider the possible use of the Varsity Theatre at 123 E. Franklin St. as a community performing arts center. View the agenda materials for this item.

Council members Michael Parker and Rachel Schaevitz co-chaired the Task Force with staff support from the Executive Director of Community Arts & Culture, the Assistant to the Town Manager, and the Downtown Special Projects Manager.

In addition to their charge of considering the Varsity Theatre as a community performing arts center, Council also charged the Task Force with determining:

• What would be the vision for such a venue? What types of programming would be appropriate and desired by our community?
• How would such a venue meet community needs, reflect community values, and attract a wide range of individuals to the Downtown and what would be the economic impact on the Downtown?
• What would be the costs of this conversion for both acquisition and necessary refurbishment - and how long would it require? How would these costs be paid for and what kinds of partnership(s) might be feasible?

Final Report

The Council received the Task Force's final report and recommendations at their June 26, 2019 Council business meeting.

• View the Task Force report.
• View the meeting materials.

Meetings

The Task Force met monthly starting in December 2018. 

April 15, 2019

• View the meeting agenda(PDF, 142KB).
• Read the meeting minutes(PDF, 210KB).

March 18, 2019

• View the meeting agenda(PDF, 134KB).
• Read the meeting minutes(PDF, 156KB).

February 18, 2019

• View the meeting agenda(DOCX, 38KB).
• Read the meeting minutes(PDF, 460KB).

January 28, 2019

• View the meeting agenda(PDF, 113KB).
• Read the meeting minutes(PDF, 189KB).

December 17, 2018

• View the meeting agenda(PDF, 109KB).
• Read the meeting minutes(PDF, 2MB).