Black Box Theater repairs on the way

Port awards contract for construction

Long-awaited safety repairs at Black Box Theater at the Island County Fairgrounds should begin later this month.

In late August, Freeland contractor, Gary Roth Co., was awarded a $40,077 contract by the Port District of South Whidbey to complete the work.

“We are scheduled to complete the second emergency door installation by mid-October,” said Larry Lehtonen, fairgrounds director.

“The understanding by all (involved) is that this work will not disturb any theatrical production work.”

Black Box Theater is used by OutCast Productions, a private, nonprofit theater company that focuses on producing “theater with a social conscience.”

Its next production, “The Hotel BelleClaire,” is scheduled Nov. 2-17.

Adding the required second emergency exit to the theater is on the port’s short list of “must do” safety fixes. Maintenance projects, such as an electrical upgrade, are among other needed repairs identified by the port since assuming ownership of the fairgrounds property two years ago.