NOTE: This release was updated Friday, August 16, 2024.
Monday, May 20, 2024
Champaign, IL – The Champaign Park District (CPD) has announced that the Virginia Theatre will receive a major upgrade to the computer-control elements of its motorized arbor system, or “fly” system, as part of the Park District’s current capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2025. GHR Engineers and Associates of Champaign are designing and managing the project with CPD. On-site work is scheduled to begin at the historic theatre in early January, 2025, with completion set for mid-April, 2025, in time for the next Roger Ebert‘s Film Festival, which runs April 23-26, 2025. The Virginia will be dark during the three-month period required to complete the project, and the theatre’s usual schedule of late winter programming will shift to other spots on the calendar or to other venues.
A theatrical fly system raises and lowers items over the stage, including set pieces, backdrops, light fixtures, speakers, curtains, and screens. Commenting on the project, theatre director Steven Bentz stated, “We’re confident that this planned upgrade of the Virginia’s fly system will provide long term, continued effectiveness and safety with even greater flexibility and features. The project to replace the theatre’s aging computer-control elements with new industry-standard, state-of-the-art equipment will better serve the facility and its productions for many years to come.”
The Virginia Theatre will continue to host events through December, 2024, including The Wallflowers, Buddy Guy, Celtic Thunder, Mike Birbiglia, Jeff Tweedy, and Mannheim Steamroller, as well as its popular movie series events, Youth Theatre performances, and more. To see the full schedule or purchase tickets, visit www.thevirginia.org.
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8/16/24 News Update:
Champaign Park District Board ApproveS Bid to Upgrade Virginia Theatre Fly System
Champaign, IL – The Champaign Park District has announced that its Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to approve an agreement for $635,990.00 with Bodine Electric, Inc., of Decatur, Illinois, to replace and upgrade the computer control elements of the Virginia Theatre’s theatrical fly system. The agreement was approved—contingent on final contracting between Bodine and the Park District—at the Commissioner’s meeting held at the Bresnan Center, Champaign, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
FUNDING THE PROJECT
The Virginia’s fly system project was first approved in the Champaign Park District’s Capital Improvement Plan at an initial cost estimate of $250,000.00 for fiscal year 2023/2024.
Following a study commissioned in October, 2023, GHR Engineers and Associates, Inc., of Champaign, Illinois, submitted to CPD their final proposal to design and oversee the upgrade at a cost of $54,000.00 in professional services and an updated project estimate totaling $750,000.00. The Park District Board approved GHR’s proposal at their March 27, 2024, meeting.
At their August 14, 2024, meeting, the Champaign Park District’s Board of Commissioners approved the bid by Bodine Electric to proceed with construction at a cost of $635,990.00.
Full funding for the contract was approved from Champaign Park District Capital Expense (at a total of $242,500.00) along with $393,490.00 to be allocated from previous private donations to the Champaign Parks Foundation’s Virginia Theatre Restoration Fund.
Construction will begin on-site at the Virginia in early January, 2025, and will conclude by April 18, 2025, prior to the 2025 Roger Ebert’s Film Festival.
For more information, visit www.thevirginia.org.
For media inquiries, photos, and interview requests, please contact Mitch Marlow at mitch.marlow@champaignparks.org or 217/819-3936.
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