Pensacola Saenger Theater Expansion Approved

posted by ksummerlin on July 21, 2006 at 5:02 am

PENSACOLA, FL — In March 2006, the citizens of Pensacola and Escambia County voted to extend the local option sales tax for a renovation and expansion of the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. The City of Pensacola will contribute $6 million to the project and Escambia County will contribute $2 million with the remaining $1 million coming from fundraisers and private donations.

Included in the renovation:

The entire main floor will be re-seated
Balcony seats will be refurbished
New air conditioning for the theater will be installed
New lobby space will be added
Additional restrooms will be added
New refreshment stands
New meeting roooms
New additional entrance

Architectural wall finishes will be restored to match the historic color schemes of the theater
Acoustical treatments will be added to enhance sound quality
A new reflective shell will be added to project sound for orchestra performances
Sound & lighting improvements

A new two-story addition to the south of the theater to accommodate new dressing rooms, production offices, storage, etc.
The stage will be expanded to Jefferson Street along the rear wall
The orchestra pit will be expanded
A new covered loading dock will be added in addition to a freight elevator

The Saenger Theatre Expansion and Renovation Project will begin in the spring of 2007 and is projected to be completed by the fall of 2008.

Further information can be found on the Pensacola Saenger Website.