Equipment at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre is beginning to show age and tonight city council appropriated $11,265 from the current fiscal year budget to address current and future needs.
In a May 31 email from Public Works Director Larry Chalker to Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt, Chalker noted, “ … There are several items of need that have reached critical levels in the (theater). While we have known about these items since December of last year, we intentionally delayed spending funds to correct them as we were optimistic and hoping we could make it until Mr. (Lafayette) Gatling would eventually purchase the building and (its) contents.”
Chalker wrote in the email, however, “As time has gone by, the situation has worsened and we have waited as long as we can and must act now. Failure to do so will only amplify this situation and will get us to the point of not being able to host certain acts in our venue due to inadequate production systems.”
The memo notes one of the most pressing needs involves stage lighting. “We have only purchased (two) bulbs for static (spotlights) since we resumed operation of the building after Mr. Gatling left. Moving lights are our ‘crown jewels’ and the heart of the lighting systems. The bulbs for these many lights average $200 each, but when cared for properly, should last (four) or more years. We plan to re-lamp all blown bulbs in these systems and allow for (two) spares of each type fixture for any future failures.”
Chalker writes, “Expendables such as special gaffing — used on stage — as well as marking tape — for use on sound boards — in-ear monitor cables with ear buds, colored ‘gels’ for stationary par staging lighting, as well as speaker cables for on-stage monitors — for band and singers — make up the remainder of our needs and will be put to use immediately with the next stage use.”
The city will buy the items from Tequila Sunrise Music, the memo notes.
The inventory of immediate needs totals $5,265. The items are:
Audio cables at $100
Coupling adaptors at $65
One case of gaffing tape at $200
One case of soundboard tape at $100
MAC 700 bulbs at $1,400
MAC 600 bulbs at $1,400
Legend HID fixture at $1,000
Lighting gels at $400
In-ear monitor cables with ear buds at $400
Repair Crown Rack Amplifier at $200
Future needs total $6,000. They include four monitor speakers, projector repair, house curtain repair and four wired microphones.
City Finance Director MeLinda Hite said the funds would be taken from residuals in the theater principal debt payment account and not the general fund.
Mayor Emery Doughtie said following the meeting recurring costs at the venue are to be expected. “Council is still working with other groups to get the theater sold. I still believe closing it up is not the way to go.”
In other matters tonight:
Hinton, left, and Hathaway.
Interim Police Chief Jeff Hinton named Narcotics Detective Tommy Hathaway as deputy chief. Hathaway has 21 years of law enforcement experience. The appointment will be effective July 1.
Hinton gives Dixon his certificate.
Hinton presented Detective Corey Dixon with his intermediate law enforcement certificate.
