LPCA Breaks Ground on Historic Theatre Building Renovation
LPCA Breaks Ground on Historic Theatre Building Renovation
Lake Placid, NY: The Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, September 22nd to kick off the construction phase of a Capital Project to modernize and expand the 53-year-old Theatre Building.
An Artful Gathering
100 guests gathered in front of the Theatre Building to celebrate the milestone, including the Arts Center’s Executive Director James Lemons and Managing Director Jon Donk and speakers Katie Steger, Director of Capital Projects for the New York State Council on the Arts; the Honorable Dan Stec, New York State Senate; Emily Politi, Town Council Person for the Town of North Elba; and members of the Arts Center’s Board of Directors, Cathy Johnston (Treasurer) and Sarah Galvin (Co-Vice President).
In true Arts Center fashion, the groundbreaking ceremony aimed to entertain and inspire with a performance by local musician Charlie Reinertsen as well as a dedication of the Arts Center’s garden to Ruth Hart, longtime friend and past President of the LPCA.
Arts Center Groundbreaking, photo by Charlie Reinertsen.
About the Renovation
The Capital Project encompasses a large-scale renovation of the Theatre Building, designed by the renowned architecture firm Marvel. Charcoalblue is serving as the project’s Theatre Consultant and Allegrone Companies is the Construction Manager.
The renovation will address a myriad of infrastructure challenges that have developed after over 50 years of service to the community. The building’s capacity has been limited by lack of accessibility, crumbling foundations, leaking roofs, and outdated mechanical systems – including heating and cooling – that are critically due for an update. The renewed facility will be fully accessible and welcoming for all,
with important structural and technological upgrades that will make for a sustainable community resource that preserves the unique character of the original Arts Center. Besides a new state-of-the-art theatre, the updated building will feature a new art gallery, a dedicated education space, an expanded lobby, revitalized green spaces and improved traffic flow for the parking lots.
The project is on track to re-open a revitalized building by July 2027. During construction, all programs will continue in the Annex Building on the Arts Center’s campus or in other partner venues in the Tri-Lakes area. The Annex has already begun hosting Fall programs and will house a temporary 70-seat stage/screening room, an art gallery and classrooms for dance, painting, drawing, weaving and ceramics workshops.
State Sen. Dan Stec expressed, “the groundbreaking for the renovation of the Theatre Building marks the start of a major transformation for our region. With this project, the Arts Center’s status as a hub for culture and creativity will be stronger than ever. I can’t wait to see this project when it’s completed.”
Arts Center Groundbreaking, photo by Charlie Reinertsen.
Capital Campaign Goal
Monday’s event also announced the organization’s $33M Capital Campaign to support the project. LPCA has raised $22 million toward its $33 million capital campaign goal during the quiet phase of fundraising. This remarkable progress reflects the leadership of Campaign Co-Chairs and LPCA Board Members Debbie Heidecorn and Cathy Johnston, the commitment of the entire Board of Directors, and the work of the Capital Campaign Committee. A transformative $7.5 million grant from New York State Council on the Arts’ Large Capital Improvement program anchors this early success, joined by support from the Town of North Elba LEAF Fund and federal commitments supported by Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, including a confirmed commitment of $1 million from the Northern Border Regional Commission, and a pending $1 million award sponsored by Senators Gillibrand and Schumer through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Several foundations, including the Stewart’s/Dake Family, also provided major gifts. More than sixty individual and board donors, from seven-figure leadership gifts to community contributions, have invested in LPCA’s vision for a modern, LEED Silver–certified cultural center. The arts and fundraising consulting firm A.D. Hamingson & Associates are serving as lead strategists for the capital campaign.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the profound support of our donor community to date,” said Arts Center Executive Director James Lemons, “This renovation will make it possible for us to carry out our most important work – serving as a community space where all are invited to share in the profound human experience of making and witnessing art together. With a strong new foundation in our revitalized building, we look forward to sharing meaningful arts experiences with people of all ages for many decades to come.”
Arts Center Groundbreaking, photo by Charlie Reinertsen.
Brand New Again
Along with the official start of construction, the Arts Center unveiled a new brand for the organization. Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) will become Arts Center Lake Placid, demonstrating the Center’s dedication to putting the organization’s mission first. As the campus transforms over the coming year
and a half, the Arts Center’s brand update will take shape, to be fully displayed throughout the revitalized Theatre Building and grounds by Summer of 2027. All those interested in learning more about the project and the Capital Campaign can visit https://frontandcenter.lakeplacidarts.org/
About the Arts Center Lake Placid Nestled in an Olympic village, the Arts Center Lake Placid is a year-round treasure to residents and visitors of the Adirondacks and is the premier art and cultural hub of the region. Orchestrating quality programming, performances, rotating art exhibitions, and education experiences to residents and visitors alike, the Arts Center provides an ensemble of offerings in music, theatre and dance, and supports local, regional and national artists in its Fine Arts Gallery. At the heart of this hub is hands-on learning experiences for children exploring their creativity and adults finding new passions. As a leading organization, the Arts Center collaborates with other Adirondack non-profit partners to build, support and cultivate the arts community. Inspiring excellence in the arts for generations, the Arts Center continues to thrive today at its unique and captivating Lake Placid campus.
