LEWISTON – New renovations to the great hall of the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s could begin this summer, the result of an anonymous $250,000 grant.
Plans for the former nave, now a performing arts space, include stadium-style seating and new lighting.
Members of the center’s Board of Directors will consider the move at its next meeting later this month. If the board approves the measure, the project could be sent out to bid with a few weeks.
Work could begin as early as June, said Rita Dube, the center’s executive director.
“We’ve kept our schedule clear for the months of June, July and August,” Dube said.
The aim is for any work to be done during that period prior to the start of a new performance season in September.
The changes would be the most recent in an ongoing renovation at the 78-year-old former church.
Since 2000, when the center’s leader purchased the building from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, the group has raised $2.94 million.
About half, $1.45 million, has been spent on masonry alone, repairing the granite exterior of the Depression-era landmark.
The rest has been spent inside, where a new elevator was installed and work was begun in the upstairs performance space.
Pews were removed and replaced by traditional theater seats. The stage was expanded. But it was still unfinished.
Plans call for graduated seating, installing the seats onto risers to improve the visibility for all who attend.
“It will have beautiful sight lines,” said Richard Martin, the center’s program director.
This phase of work may also include electrical improvements and added painting.
The price tag for the job is expected to surpass the money from the grant, Dube said.
However, several other donations have been made in recent months, perhaps enough to cover the hoped-for work.
In all, renovations are expected to cost $4.5 million.
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