Park Theatre Starts Construction in September

The Park Theatre announced today that with its successful completion of the Jaffrey Planning Board's requirements and the equally successful public and corporate response to the Groundbreakers campaign, it is set to start construction of the 2-auditorium performance center in downtown Jaffrey.

The Theatre's exact construction start date in September will be announced in late August after construction arrangements are finalized with the project's bank, the Town's various departments and USDA. The US Department of Agriculture is the lead funder for the rebuilding of The Park Theatre through its Community Facilities Program. The program, administered by USDA Rural Development, provides financial support to essential community facilities. Support for The Park Theatre aligns with the Agency's mission to increase economic opportunity and quality of life in rural areas. "This is the moment every supporter of The Park has been waiting for," said Steve Jackson, CEO of The Park Theatre. "It is a monumental achievement for the organization...and a testament to the passion and perseverance of our fans throughout the Monadnock Region and beyond." Commenting on the Theatre's imminent construction, Jon Frederick, Jaffrey's Town Manager, noted, "This is the first brick in the foundation to rebuild the Town of Jaffrey."

The project to rebuild and reopen The Park Theatre began in 2005 with a "Sprint to the Finish" campaign to purchase the original property on Main Street. Since then, the project has raised $4,900,000 to design, develop and partially fund the new building. Substantial funding for that work and the construction has come from New Hampshire's Community Development Finance Authority through tax credits donated to the Theatre by 36 businesses in Jaffrey and throughout the state. More than 32 foundations, 75 businesses, and over 2,800 individuals have contributed to the work to rebuild and reopen The Park Theatre. "We are very excited," noted Caroline Hollister, Board Chair of The Park Theatre, "but mostly we are profoundly grateful - grateful to everyone who has supported us and encouraged us over the past twelve years. Each and every donor made it possible for the project to be where it is today."

The new Park Theatre was designed by BKA Architects of Boston and Brockton, Massachusetts according to LEED's gold level. Engineering expertise has been provided by TF Moran, Inc. of Bedford. Hutter Construction Company of New Ipswich is the managing contractor for the project. Steve Horton, Construction Consulting Services, is the project's Construction Advisor. Legal services are provided by the Law Offices of Thomas R. Hanna. Financial and accounting services are provided by Lynn C. Rust, CPA. The Park Theatre currently operates the River Street Theatre, a small live entertainment and cinema venue located adjacent to the construction site, as an interim theatre until the new Park Theatre is built. Opened in January of 2017, the River Street Theatre will continue to operate throughout construction with a robust weekly schedule of concerts, comedy nights, films and live performances.

The Park Theatre first opened in Jaffrey in 1922 and was the center of community life as a movie and vaudeville house for 54 years until it closed in 1976. Purchased by The Park Theatre, Inc. in 2006, it will be rebuilt as a state-of-the-art film and performing arts center, featuring two auditoriums seating 485, presenting movies, live theatre, including children's productions, concerts, and lectures as well as offering a place for business and community gatherings for the Monadnock Region and its 100,000 residents, school districts and dynamic artistic community. The new Park Theatre is scheduled to open in 2018.

The Park Theatre currently operates the River Street Theatre(RST), a small live entertainment and cinema venue, located adjacent to the construction site as an interim theatre until the new Park Theatre opens. Opened in January of 2017, the RST holds the title of "smallest theatre in New England."

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