Kickoff meeting set to discuss Opera House restoration

Should the Opera House have fixed seating on tiered platforms or flexible seating and a flat floor? What are the cost and use implications of each? Where can dressing rooms be located?What else should go in the addition that will house the elevator and fire stairs? How big should it be? Should there be a catering area? How about a lobby?

These are just some of the questions that need to be answered before schematic designs can be completed for the restoration of the Lathrope & Ruffing Opera House and the rest of the City Hall building.

The Delphi Preservation Society has signed a $19,500 contract with KJG Architecture, Inc. of West Lafayette to provide schematic design services for the restoration project. Over the next few months, representatives of the Opera House Task Force and others interested in the process will meet regularly with KJG to discuss alternatives and reach design solutions for the structure. By the end of the planning discussions, DPS will have reached a consensus on how the restored space and the addition will be used, and what it will look like. KJG will then supply schematic designs with floor plans, estimated construction costs, and how the construction should be phrased. A color rendering of the building will also be provided. With these tools in hand, the fundraising for the multi-year restoration project can get under way.

The kickoff meeting for the Opera House Restoration design process will be Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wabash & Erie Canal Center in Delphi. Anyone wishing to participate is asked to contact Anita Werling at 765-564-2169; or email a_werling. @msn.com.