The Lodge at Roanoke Valley Renovation and Restoration Project is a collaborative venture to renovate the 89-year-old ____,000 square-foot Enfield Masonic Lodge; to create an aesthetically pleasing and historically significant facility to meet the needs of local artists for performance arts space; to alleviate the financial burden imposed on these artists by for-profit, union, private-sector rental halls; and to provide access for all citizens to the community’s best performing artists. The theater holds significant economic, cultural, and social promise for the Enfield and greater Halifax County communities; promotes optimum utilization of local resources and talents; and will draw back to Enfield and Halifax County local residents and businesspersons who have fled to larger urban areas for greater business and social opportunities.

Renovation and Restoration
The theater’s proposed rehabilitation consists of first renovating the theater to a live performance venue and then restoring the theater’s interior and exterior to reflect the mid 1950s period of significance. The restoration includes an expansion of the current facility to provide additional bathrooms, dressing rooms, balcony use and access, and classroom and office spaces. The renovation includes: E

Exterior Facade Renovation
• Throughly review historical documents, materials and photos
• Replace and/or remove inappropriate materials and finishes
• Replace with historically accurate materials, finishes, signage, lighting, etc.

Interior Lobby Renovation
• Resurface and/or clean wall, floor and ceiling finishes as appropriate
• Inspect and replace or restore light fixtures, signage, handrails, doors, windows, etc.
• Repaint as needed

Concession ArInstall all new equipment and counter areas for non existent concession space and
• install new plumbing and wiring to complete
• Refinish counters and cabinet work
• Lighting and signage to be inspected and replaced as necessary

Theater Restoration
• Inspect HVAC systems and replace non-functioning equipment as necessary
• Install new sound system including speakers and audio control systems
• Update stage lighting systems, tracks, grids, fixtures, etc. for future intended usage (install new in lower level theatre)
• Inspect and replace appropriate architectural lighting fixtures (theater) and certify electrical wiring systems
• Replace wiring that does not meet current code requirements
• Renovate stage from theatrical productions including refinishing, painting and resurfacing walls, ceilings and floors.
• Curtain/Travel track to be installed
• Backstage and dressing rooms to be renovated utilizing new fixtures, paint, surfacetreatments and ensuring local code requirements are met
• All theater seats to be installed
• A/V equipment to be replaced with upgraded versions (new in most of the building)
• Restrooms to be added and/or renovated to currect code requirements (ADA) and all fixtures to be replaced
• Hazardous materials-testing of all areas of the theater and hazardous material abatement processes

More specifically, The Lodge Theatre’s renovation includes maintenance to the roof, exterior walls, fire alarm system upgrades, electrical wiring, egress and ADA accessibility construction requirements, performance stage extensions, and construction to permit use of dressing rooms. These repairs will address directly the decisive threats to the theater’s structure by antiquated wiring, water infiltration and the lack of suitable life-safety mechanisms.

A new fire sprinkler system will be installed with piping, valve riser system, alarmactuation and addressing system that will adhere to code requirements (strobes, horns and pull stations.) Furthermore, an accessible wheelchair lift will be installed to allow stage access during special events. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing repairs will address life-safety mechanisms and the installation of new toilet fixtures, light fixtures, power receptacles, and air control devices (registers and louvers). Carpentry, drywall, acoustical ceiling repair, and replication of historical doors are among the theater’s renovation and preservation tasks to be completed. New carpeting will be laid on the dressing room access stairs, dressing rooms, interior lobby space and concession space. Renovation and restoration repairs also target the existing historic ceramic tiles at the outer lobby space and the bathrooms. These tiles will require significant patching and cleaning. Additionally, plaster ceiling areas at the outer lobby and the major auditorium space will be painted to encapsulate asbestos containing material and will be colored to match the theater’s historic coloring. The theater’s interior, including the 1964 intrusive “plaster makeovers,” will be painted. The exposed portions of the historic interiors will be painted with colors to match the original.

The theater’s seating will undergo full refurbishment and rigging/dimming systems will be installed for the stage. These systems include light, drapes, scenery drops, piping systems and hangers necessary to equip the stage with the dead hung gear to ready it for performances. Amps, mics, speakers and wiring required for adequate acoustics will also be purchased and installed

Display cases will be moved and expanded to replicate old movie poster frames. Posters advertising the theater’s productions will be displayed in these cases. And finally, a new, historically accurate replication of the 1963 marquee will be designed and erected

Project Goals and Objectives
The Lodge Theatre will provide numerous benefits to the greater Halifax County community and its neighbors. Specifically, the theater will:

Provide Community and Cultural Access. The Lodge Theatre will address directly the tremendous need for performance space and a low-cost cultural and arts facility in Enfield.

Transfer and Expand Established Programs and Services. Programs and services provided by the Town of Enfield and/or County of Halifax could be transferred to the Lodge Theatre.

Provide Commercial Rental Space. The theater will be available to corporate and convention groups for commercial rentals. These rentals will generate revenue and keep the rates for non-profit rentals low. Additionally, the theater will be available to community arts groups, merchants, and sponsors to hold special events and festivals for both the arts community and the surrounding residential districts

Promote Enfield and Halifax County Area Revitalization, Redevelopment, and Renewal. The Lodge Theatre will help to define the shape and strategy of revitalization along the Roanoke Valley and Tar Pimlico Basin, lend stability and character to the community, and promote steady activity.

Produce a Significant and Positive Economic Impact. The theater will serve as critical catalyst for the creation of new businesses, new jobs, and increased tourism and foot traffic. Simultaneously, these benefits will generate a significant and positive impact in Enfield and the greater Halifax County community. In fact, according to a study conducted by Deloitte & Touche in April 2003, for every $1 invested in the arts and cultural organizations, $34 in economic activity is generated.

Serve as a Historical Draw to Enfield. The Lodge Foundation is developing a historical display of the activities surrounding the history and legacy of Enfield and Halifax County on the establishment of the United States and a citywide tour pinpointing the sites associated with our storied history.

Preserve a Local and National Historic Structure. Preserving the Lodge Theatre will save an internationally recognized structure that is impossible to replace once destroyed. The Lodge Theatre possesses special historic, cultural and architectural significance that enhances our residents’ quality of life, embodies features of our unique heritage and represents lessons learned.

Counter Blight. The theater’s restoration remedies the negative effects of the blighted structure and urban decline on neighboring properties. As such, the theater’s renovation removes critical impediments to private investments.

RENOVATION PROJECTS

First: Major clean-out of debris and storage materials and scrubbing
Sump Pump Installation in basement to remove/secure water leakage
New Boiler and Overhaul of HVAC Systems throughout facility
Overhaul and new installation of Electrical systems (Lodge older wiring but Main theatre needs new wiring)
New Lighting fixtures for Main Theatre (update to Lodge building)
Roof repair (only minor spots but thorough analysis needed)
Re-pointing exterior bricks and façade improvements
Front Marquee, doors and ticket booth rehab
Main theatre balconies structural evaluation and repair/reinforce
Main theatre stage and overall theatre structural repair
Conference room and office renovation
2nd floor rooms structural repair and renovations
Kitchen exhaust upgrades/installation, service current appliances and source new
3rd floor theatre and rooms structural repair and renovation
Backstage renovation and upgrades
Electrical certification and upgrades
Skylight in theatre repair and renovations
Both theatres require seating be purchased and purchase “dinner” seating options
Actor changing rooms structural repair and renovations
Antechamber repair and renovation
Balcony brass railing for safety installation
Balcony and back hall structural renovations
Bathroom upgrades throughout the building/plumbing repair
Attic insulation upgrades and structural attic repairs
Both theatres stage lighting, PA systems and building intercom systems install
Elevator certification and maintenance program
Theatre sound and lighting systems
Digital Cinema projection equipment and sound options
Live music and live event amplification
Ticket booth facilities and computerized reservation and ticketing system
Major painting on all levels
Public safety certifications and inspections; ADA certifications and improvements
Rear Jail building cleanup and “prep”
Rear Rescue squad building cleanup and “prep”
Potential kitchen and bath facilities for rear buildings for indoor/outdoor café and gala space.

The above list is not a total list of renovation projects but is a good representation of the work that will take to prepare the full building for live events of all types. The next step will be to engage consultants and hire staff to network with townships, boards of education and concert/event promoters to set the programming for the facility