The Sweet Home Auditorium Remodel Committee has started repair work inside the Sweet Home High School auditorium, and members are in the process of planning a talent contest as a fund-raising event for June 20.
“I’ve removed the foot lights, patched the substructure and the subfloor, puttied it sanded it and primed it,” said. Ron Sharrah, chairman of SHARC. He planned to repair sheet rock and plaster in the first part of this week.
“So far I’ve gotten really great positive comments about the work,” Sharrah said. “Now, we’re moving and doing.”
Up next will be painting, Sharrah said. Jim Swinehart has volunteered to begin painting the auditorium.
Swinehart will paint at different stages throughout the project, which will include repairing and painting the surface of the stage black. Upcoming phases of the project include new curtains, new lighting and new sound equipment.
Rodda Paint is donating 75 percent of the paint for the project, Swinehart said.
SHARC is attempting to raise at least $100,000 to pay for the project. So far, it has raised some $3,200 in grant funds from the Elks National Foundation, a donation from the high school Jamboree ice crew and tips from an event at the Elks Lodge.
Donations should be routed through the Elks Lodge to ensure they are tax-deductible. The Elks Lodge may be reached at (541) 367-3559. Direct donations also may made by individuals at Umpqua Bank.
SHARC will host a talent contest, called the SHARC Showdown, on June 20 to help raise cash for the project.
Anyone from Sweet Home is invited to participate. Among prizes are a pair of three-day Jamboree tickets.
Participation is free. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students with student identification.
Applications to participate will be available at The New Era office, 1313 Main St., and other locations Friday; and further details about the event will be published later.
For more information about the showdown call Sean at (503) 580-1045. For more information or to volunteer, call Sharrah at (541) 231-7303.