Q: Is the Avalon renovation finished?
A: The Avalon Theatre Cornerstone Project began in 2011. Architectural plans were drawn for a completely updated theatre. Those plans included renovation of the old theatre and buildout of a new building to include a new lobby, a multipurpose room, and a support tower which would include dressing rooms, a prep kitchen, storage, and administrative offices. The completed project would allow diversified use of the space from films to big-name concerts to major theatre productions to weddings.
The main theatre was renovated and reopened in 2014. A new building was built which houses a new lobby, a multipurpose room, a mezzanine lobby, and a rooftop terrace. Due to cost constraints, the support tower was not built. Without this support tower, we lack the amenities required to attract larger productions and to adequately serve the community.
Q: Isn’t the Avalon being used enough now?
A: The Avalon is used for public events numerous nights per month, but more and better events could be held there with expanded facilities. The Avalon in its current iteration is sufficient for films and other events that don’t require “back-stage” spaces. Larger groups require dressing rooms which are not currently present. Events requiring catering must be serviced from the Two Rivers facility.
Q: What’s the difference between the Avalon Theatre and the Avalon Theatre Foundation?
A: The Avalon Theatre is the building we see at the east end of Main Street. It is currently owned by the City of Grand Junction. The City has contracted with OVG360 for the day-to-day operations of The Avalon.
The Avalon Theatre Foundation (ATF) is a nonprofit organization created in 1992 to ensure that The Avalon Theatre would be renovated to become the Crown Jewel of Main Street. The ATF does not own The Avalon but exists to promote, enhance, and preserve The Avalon Theatre.
Q: How many seats are in The Avalon?
A: The Main Hall had 960 seats prior to renovation. After renovation, there are now 1050 seats. This is important because having over 1000 seats allows more popular entertainers to come to our town.
Q: Why should I give to The Avalon Theatre Foundation?
A: The Avalon Theatre is owned by the citizens of Grand Junction. The Avalon Theatre Foundation, as a nonprofit organization, offers a way for citizens to support The Avalon Theatre with tax-deductible gifts. We strive to identify ways to make The Avalon even better. We have purchased display monitors for the building and added lighting to the stage. Working with the City, we have purchased a state-of-the-art sound system for the main hall and completed buildout of Encore Hall, our multipurpose room. All of these improvements help to serve the community.
One of our best efforts is the Community Benefit Fund. This fund is used to pay for rental for local groups so that they can be in The Avalon for their various events. This increases access to the Avalon for smaller community groups.
Q: Why can’t I see theatrical performances or operas at The Avalon Theatre?
A: There are currently no back-stage spaces, no required lighting, and no dressing rooms, and the stage is too small to accommodate sets for plays and operas. This could be rectified by building the support tower and expanding the stage.
Q: Is the Avalon Theatre home for the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO)?
A: The acoustically perfect Avalon Theatre is currently home for the GJSO. That said, the symphony must carefully choose music which can be played by a reduced orchestra size. Even with the portable stage extension which is put up and taken down with every performance, not enough space exists to perform many works.
Q: What is the ATF currently raising funds for?
A: The ATF has identified lasting improvements to the current theatre that will enhance the benefits of the Avalon Theatre to the community. These includes finishing the expansion of the Avalon Theatre to include backstage spaces and dressing rooms, as well as an updated projector for modern high-resolution films. These improvements cost are yet to be announced, and will be published once the new update plan has been approved.
Q: When will the ATF start work on a capital campaign for a theatre expansion project?
A: We are working with community leaders to identify the appropriate timing for such a project. As the building is owned by the City of Grand Junction, the timing will depend on the City’s commitment to moving forward. We are exploring alternative models for supporting such a project, such as public-private partnerships. We welcome community input and ideas!
A: The Avalon Theatre Cornerstone Project began in 2011. Architectural plans were drawn for a completely updated theatre. Those plans included renovation of the old theatre and buildout of a new building to include a new lobby, a multipurpose room, and a support tower which would include dressing rooms, a prep kitchen, storage, and administrative offices. The completed project would allow diversified use of the space from films to big-name concerts to major theatre productions to weddings.
The main theatre was renovated and reopened in 2014. A new building was built which houses a new lobby, a multipurpose room, a mezzanine lobby, and a rooftop terrace. Due to cost constraints, the support tower was not built. Without this support tower, we lack the amenities required to attract larger productions and to adequately serve the community.
Q: Isn’t the Avalon being used enough now?
A: The Avalon is used for public events numerous nights per month, but more and better events could be held there with expanded facilities. The Avalon in its current iteration is sufficient for films and other events that don’t require “back-stage” spaces. Larger groups require dressing rooms which are not currently present. Events requiring catering must be serviced from the Two Rivers facility.
Q: What’s the difference between the Avalon Theatre and the Avalon Theatre Foundation?
A: The Avalon Theatre is the building we see at the east end of Main Street. It is currently owned by the City of Grand Junction. The City has contracted with OVG360 for the day-to-day operations of The Avalon.
The Avalon Theatre Foundation (ATF) is a nonprofit organization created in 1992 to ensure that The Avalon Theatre would be renovated to become the Crown Jewel of Main Street. The ATF does not own The Avalon but exists to promote, enhance, and preserve The Avalon Theatre.
Q: How many seats are in The Avalon?
A: The Main Hall had 960 seats prior to renovation. After renovation, there are now 1050 seats. This is important because having over 1000 seats allows more popular entertainers to come to our town.
Q: Why should I give to The Avalon Theatre Foundation?
A: The Avalon Theatre is owned by the citizens of Grand Junction. The Avalon Theatre Foundation, as a nonprofit organization, offers a way for citizens to support The Avalon Theatre with tax-deductible gifts. We strive to identify ways to make The Avalon even better. We have purchased display monitors for the building and added lighting to the stage. Working with the City, we have purchased a state-of-the-art sound system for the main hall and completed buildout of Encore Hall, our multipurpose room. All of these improvements help to serve the community.
One of our best efforts is the Community Benefit Fund. This fund is used to pay for rental for local groups so that they can be in The Avalon for their various events. This increases access to the Avalon for smaller community groups.
Q: Why can’t I see theatrical performances or operas at The Avalon Theatre?
A: There are currently no back-stage spaces, no required lighting, and no dressing rooms, and the stage is too small to accommodate sets for plays and operas. This could be rectified by building the support tower and expanding the stage.
Q: Is the Avalon Theatre home for the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (GJSO)?
A: The acoustically perfect Avalon Theatre is currently home for the GJSO. That said, the symphony must carefully choose music which can be played by a reduced orchestra size. Even with the portable stage extension which is put up and taken down with every performance, not enough space exists to perform many works.
Q: What is the ATF currently raising funds for?
A: The ATF has identified lasting improvements to the current theatre that will enhance the benefits of the Avalon Theatre to the community. These includes finishing the expansion of the Avalon Theatre to include backstage spaces and dressing rooms, as well as an updated projector for modern high-resolution films. These improvements cost are yet to be announced, and will be published once the new update plan has been approved.
Q: When will the ATF start work on a capital campaign for a theatre expansion project?
A: We are working with community leaders to identify the appropriate timing for such a project. As the building is owned by the City of Grand Junction, the timing will depend on the City’s commitment to moving forward. We are exploring alternative models for supporting such a project, such as public-private partnerships. We welcome community input and ideas!