News Release
Submitted by Kathryn Ross, Secretary Babcock Movie Theater Preservation Society
Giant Steps
The reopening of the Babcock Movie Theater in Wellsville has taken giant steps toward becoming a reality.
A little over six months ago the first community meeting regarding the fate of the Main Street movie theater was held. The movie theater building had been purchased by the village in an effort to preserve it. Early on there was great public interest in preserving the theater, and it was decided in late November that a survey be designed to ask the residents of Wellsville what they wanted to see happen. That survey was distributed to the public in December.
In January, the results of over 900 surveys were compiled. Overwhelmingly, the public wanted to see the movie theater operational again. The survey also asked for people's favorite memories and their preferred name for theater.
The results of the memory question mostly captured the experience and joy of going to the local theater with family, friends and on first dates and also viewing particular movies such as “Gone With The Wind”, “Star Wars,” “Rocky”, or the Harry Potter movies for the first time. Those memories were so captivating and supportive of the reopening of the theater that they have been bound in notebooks and copies placed in the Chamber of Commerce, David A. Howe Library and the Village office for the public to read and enjoy.
Those results gave impetus for the Movie Theater Committee to continue its efforts. At its January meeting, a board of directors was organized and later that evening Barry Glickstein was approved as chair, Tim Colligan as vice chair, Kate Williams as treasurer, Kathryn Ross as secretary and Jackie Comstock, Charles LaGreca and Cori Lunn as members at large.
The new board met the following week and began to organize its strategies for reopening the movie theater. Based on the results of the survey they chose the name The Babcock Movie Theater Preservation Society as its official moniker. By its February meeting, the board had applied for and received a 501(C) 3 nonprofit designation and received its official Employee Identification Number, allowing it to now conduct fundraisers and establish bylaws. At its February 20th meeting the Babcock Movie Theater Preservation Society officially recognized its board of directors, accepted a set of bylaws and agreed to establish a bank account.
Now, the BMTPS is investigating what is needed to reopen the Babcock as a nonprofit movie theater showing a variety of movies and documentaries of varying genres. But the group realizes there is much to be done before the building can be reopened, including repairs and renovations to all parts of the building including the purchase of seating a nd projection equipment. It has been estimated that the cost to rehabilitate and open the theater will cost between $250,000 and $300,000.
While it looks for financial and physical support from the community the BMTPS is also looking at grant opportunities, fundraisers and for the professional services of preservationists and architectural firms to continue its progress.
The BMTPS board wants to keep the public involved and informed of its progress and has developed a Facebook page under the name Babcock Movie Theater Preservation Society. The page will announce future meetings of the Movie Theater Committee and the Board and keep the public aware of upcoming events. Please use the page to stay informed and in touch. We need your help to make the memories of decades of past Wellsville residents and future residents to become a reality.
