Michelle L. Cook

STATE TO INVEST $1.5 MILLION IN TORRINGTON'S WARNER THEATRE

Funding from Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will help renovate and upgrade historic theatre 

Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), co-chair of the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) board, and the Deputy Speaker of the House Michelle Cook (D-Torrington) announced the CIF board will review and is expected to approve $1.5 million in funding for the Warner Theatre in Torrington at their next meeting. 

"I shudder to think we could have lost this Torrington gem back in the 1980s when it faced foreclosure and demolition," said Rep. Cook. "I'm so thankful that a dedicated group had the foresight to create a nonprofit to save the Warner and help it continue to thrive. I thank Speaker Ritter, Governor Lamont, and the CIF Board for seeing the value in this project at the Warner."

"Once Michelle Cook talked to me about the importance of the Warner Theatre to her community, I knew it was a great candidate for CIF funds. The Warner is a legendary destination in the heart of Torrington," Speaker Ritter said.

The Warner Theatre is looking to renovate its historic building, lobby, and stage, including HVAC systems, electrical, and accessibility issues. There are also plans to modernize its sound, lighting, lighting control, security, and smoke alarm systems.

"On behalf of the Warner Theatre, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Representative Cook, Governor Lamont, and the members of the Community Investment Fund Board for their commitment to the arts and community development. This funding will allow us to enhance our facilities, ensuring that we continue to provide a welcoming and exceptional experience for our patrons. We are excited about the positive impact these improvements will have on our programs and our ability to attract top entertainment experiences for the residents of northwest Connecticut," said Warner Theatre Co-Executive Directors Stephanie Fried and Patrick Langevin.

"The state’s continued investment in the Warner Theatre, and belief in its importance and promise, is lifting for anyone who lives in the area and appreciates the role this cultural icon plays in our economy and lives. Once again, Representative Cook went to bat for the arts and our area, and we are all beneficiaries of her service and advocacy with this award," said Warner Board Chair Brian Mattiello.

The goal of this project is to upgrade its facilities to attract both a larger more diverse audience from Torrington and the region, and appeal to a broader range of performers.

The theatre is also a great economic driver for Torrington's local businesses.

“The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this investment in the Warner Theatre," said Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce President and CEO JoAnn Ryan. "The Warner Theatre is not just a landmark; it is a hub for creativity and engagement that attracts visitors and stimulates local businesses. We applaud the state’s commitment to supporting Torrington's growth and vibrancy."  

"The Warner Theatre is a cultural cornerstone, providing entertainment and opportunities for artists. By supporting the arts, this investment not only enhances the theater’s infrastructure but also boosts local businesses like ours by attracting more visitors to the area," said Matt Cipriano, owner of Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza and a downtown Torrington developer.

"We are thrilled by the commitment secured by Representative Cook to fund the Warner Theatre.  As a nearby business, we know firsthand the positive effects that a thriving cultural venue has on foot traffic and community engagement. The Warner Theatre brings people together, and its success directly benefits all of us in the area. We look forward to the growth and vibrancy it will bring to Torrington," said Greg Mele, owner Eastside Electric, Inc.

"We are tremendously grateful for the state’s ongoing investment and support of the City of Torrington and the organizations that make our city so remarkable," said Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone. "The Warner Theatre is a cornerstone of our Main Street and integral to the identify of Torrington.  The capital improvements that can be accomplished through this grant will go a long way to ensuring the continued success of our beloved theatre."

The Warner Theatre has a long and storied history. It was built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace. The theatre was sold in the 1950s, due to a federally mandated divestment and suffered extensive damage in the Flood of 1955. With business declining, the invention of television, and high expenses, the building fell into a state of disrepair. Facing foreclosure in 1981, the owners closed the theatre and in March 1981, listed the property for sale for $275,000.

The theatre faced demolition one year later, when a concerned group of citizens stepped up and formed the nonprofit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts, Inc. (NWCAA) to save the theatre. This group led a grass-roots effort to successfully raise the money needed to buy the theatre. The Warner re-opened in 1983, but restoration continued until 2002. During that time, the historic Mertz Building was purchased, and the theatre's expansion was underway to become a performing arts center complex, known as the "Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center" in Spring 2008.

The theatre is open year-round, offering more than 160 public performances and serving 100,000 patrons. More than 8,000 children grades K-12 are impacted by the theatre’s arts education programs.

"It's really something to behold, when you recognize the reach that the Warner has not only in Torrington, but in the entire Northwest corner," said Rep. Cook. "The stage has hosted some of our youngest talents, to some of the most famous people.  We are blessed to have the Warner as a part of Torrington’s Main Street landscape, and it is instrumental in bringing our communities together."

The funding is part of the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF). Projects that may have been overlooked in the past now have access to game-changing capital that can uplift entire neighborhoods. The Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) will foster economic development in historically underserved communities across the state. CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million to eligible municipalities as well as not-for-profit organizations and community development corporations that operate within them.

Grants are available for:

• Capital improvement programs, such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation
• Planning for capital projects including activities such as community engagement processes, feasibility studies, development of project plan and construction budget.

The CIF board meets on September 24 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

 

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