When I returned after 3 year in 2013, I was surprised that the renovation was moving forward. Now 3 ½ years later I return and can find little on what’s happened since then.
The Vision Theater website isn’t around anymore, and there aren’t any recent updates in the news. I’m saddened but not surprised the way government generally handles things. I hope they ditched the idea of creating 3 levels inside, and just restore it to it’s former glory.
Maybe I’m wrong and they have progressed since “stage 1,” but I doubt it. Please tell me if I’m wrong. :–(
While looking around I did find pictures of the side space that we would walk along when exiting to go to lunch during the Jehovah Witness conventions – the hand rails still there (not sure why I still remember that).
They are from this wonderful article: http://www.avoidingregret.com/2013/09/photo-essay-vision-theater-rising.html
It’s funny how some places and things still with you. I remember how the seats often squeaked. As discussed previously, I remember how cold the water was from the front “magic” fountain. I remember how glorious the tall side walls were. And the very cool handrails inside the main room that you’d always seem to shock yourself on (maybe the rug was so plush then?).
Thank you Joe and Don for your updates. I must say I’m shocked to see that the renovation has actually moved forward. I checked on and off after my post 3 years ago (wow) and would only find the original announcement.
It’s very nice to see that they seem to be restoring more that they are trying to update. It’s got some wonderful art deco in it.
The water from that fountain was COLD, as was the soft serve ice cream that was sold out of the booth next to it. If you look on Google maps, you’ll see a building across the street from the parking lot behind the theater. Looks like a cultural center now. Back then it was the cafeteria for the church and also had baptism pools.
Thanks for the fast reply Don. I found the pictures and they are great. I doubt that awful burgundy of the interior section was the same back when I was there. I remember it as dark browns and ocre gold. Maybe dark blues too? Could be wrong. Glad some of the originality survived though.
I really remember those golden columns at the side of the stage. I remember the drinking fountain as being here as shown in the corner of the picture: View link
As you can imagine,
there was always a line of kids waiting to use it. Back then, there was a soft serve ice cream station. I can’t remember if it was in what looks like a coat check room in the above picture, or if that was an information booth.
I know I have at least one picture backstage from a convention. I’ll try and find it soon. Looking at the current site on Google maps, I’m not sure where the cafeteria actually sat. I remember walking through the parking lot…
Hopefully they’ll improve the theatre to it’s original luster and improve conditions around the place as well. Even back then it was bad, but I hear it’s gotten much worse.
BTW – the water from the fountain was always cold, which was nice cause the theatre would get hot.
***Don S: I’m so bummed I missed the tour last October. If you have an pictures from the event, and more details, that would be awesome.
I thought I’d leave some memories. I attended Jehovah’s Witness conventions at the theatre for 2 or 3 years way back in the 80’s. It obviously left a mark, as I still think of it today. Back then the place seemed very big.
My brother and I would explore. We’d stand out front and look at the mosaic on the sidewalk.
During the talks, I’d gaze up at the amazing mural on the ceiling. I remember the blues and golds, along with sparkles in it: View link (wish I had a color photo)
The Gold rails you see here: View link Would shock you as you touched them from walking on the plush carpets. The seats were comfortable but often squeaked.
There was a long steep downward walkway on the left side of the auditorium. You’d walk there to go to the cafeteria.
Back then I always assumed the place had been built by the church because so much of it fit into it’s art and architecture imagery.
Is the mural still there? Is the cafeteria? Any way to visit it? Boy I hope they don’t change much if they ever manage to renovate it.
When I returned after 3 year in 2013, I was surprised that the renovation was moving forward. Now 3 ½ years later I return and can find little on what’s happened since then.
The Vision Theater website isn’t around anymore, and there aren’t any recent updates in the news. I’m saddened but not surprised the way government generally handles things. I hope they ditched the idea of creating 3 levels inside, and just restore it to it’s former glory.
Maybe I’m wrong and they have progressed since “stage 1,” but I doubt it. Please tell me if I’m wrong. :–(
While looking around I did find pictures of the side space that we would walk along when exiting to go to lunch during the Jehovah Witness conventions – the hand rails still there (not sure why I still remember that).
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/pandisoo/media/cGF0aDoyMDEzL1Zpc2lvblRoZWF0ZXIvUDEwMjA1Mzhsb196cHM4N2E1MGI2OC5qcGc=/?ref=
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/pandisoo/media/cGF0aDoyMDEzL1Zpc2lvblRoZWF0ZXIvUDEwMjA0NzZsb196cHMxZDJiYTZhYS5qcGc=/?ref=
They are from this wonderful article: http://www.avoidingregret.com/2013/09/photo-essay-vision-theater-rising.html
It’s funny how some places and things still with you. I remember how the seats often squeaked. As discussed previously, I remember how cold the water was from the front “magic” fountain. I remember how glorious the tall side walls were. And the very cool handrails inside the main room that you’d always seem to shock yourself on (maybe the rug was so plush then?).
Hope someday it’s back to it’s old glory.
Thank you Joe and Don for your updates. I must say I’m shocked to see that the renovation has actually moved forward. I checked on and off after my post 3 years ago (wow) and would only find the original announcement.
It’s very nice to see that they seem to be restoring more that they are trying to update. It’s got some wonderful art deco in it.
The water from that fountain was COLD, as was the soft serve ice cream that was sold out of the booth next to it. If you look on Google maps, you’ll see a building across the street from the parking lot behind the theater. Looks like a cultural center now. Back then it was the cafeteria for the church and also had baptism pools.
I hope it all stays on track. Take care.
Thanks for the fast reply Don. I found the pictures and they are great. I doubt that awful burgundy of the interior section was the same back when I was there. I remember it as dark browns and ocre gold. Maybe dark blues too? Could be wrong. Glad some of the originality survived though.
I really remember those golden columns at the side of the stage. I remember the drinking fountain as being here as shown in the corner of the picture: View link
As you can imagine,
there was always a line of kids waiting to use it. Back then, there was a soft serve ice cream station. I can’t remember if it was in what looks like a coat check room in the above picture, or if that was an information booth.
I know I have at least one picture backstage from a convention. I’ll try and find it soon. Looking at the current site on Google maps, I’m not sure where the cafeteria actually sat. I remember walking through the parking lot…
Hopefully they’ll improve the theatre to it’s original luster and improve conditions around the place as well. Even back then it was bad, but I hear it’s gotten much worse.
BTW – the water from the fountain was always cold, which was nice cause the theatre would get hot.
***Don S: I’m so bummed I missed the tour last October. If you have an pictures from the event, and more details, that would be awesome.
I thought I’d leave some memories. I attended Jehovah’s Witness conventions at the theatre for 2 or 3 years way back in the 80’s. It obviously left a mark, as I still think of it today. Back then the place seemed very big.
My brother and I would explore. We’d stand out front and look at the mosaic on the sidewalk.
During the talks, I’d gaze up at the amazing mural on the ceiling. I remember the blues and golds, along with sparkles in it: View link (wish I had a color photo)
The Gold rails you see here: View link Would shock you as you touched them from walking on the plush carpets. The seats were comfortable but often squeaked.
There was a long steep downward walkway on the left side of the auditorium. You’d walk there to go to the cafeteria.
Back then I always assumed the place had been built by the church because so much of it fit into it’s art and architecture imagery.
Is the mural still there? Is the cafeteria? Any way to visit it? Boy I hope they don’t change much if they ever manage to renovate it.