After decades of shows and events, Starlight Theatre has seen a lot of wear and tear. Now, the outdoor venue is seeking funding to get it back up to par.
Built in 1950, Starlight Theatre has provided many years of entertainment, but with its aging structures, it’s looking to the city for help.
"This is the only money we usually get from the city. We tried to get PIAC funds last year, and for the first time in a long time we were actually shut out of that, so this is our only opportunity to do that," said Richard Baker, Starlight Theatre CEO.
After the Public Improvement Advisory Committee denied their request for funding, Baker is looking to the KCMO Finance Committee for help. On Wednesday, Baker asked for $400,000 to be used towards improvements and maintenance.
"Since the 90s we've put $32 million, actually over that, into the venue and only about 25 percent of that is city money," said Baker.
The brick-lined walkways and all of the seating at Starlight Theatre are at the top of the list of repair work that needs to be done.
"Some of our wider seats, the 22 in. seat bottoms are some failures in the corners and so they pinch people’s legs or catch their clothing. We also have issues with the support arms on either side are cracking at a high-stress point on the side," said Justin White, Vice President of Operations at Starlight Theatre.
At this time, White said they’ve been ordering parts to fix only a dozen seats at a time. With this money, he said they’d be able to get ahead.
"Do more proactive maintenance rather than reactive when a guest is in a seat waiting for the show and telling us it's broken," said White.
You can see potential safety hazards, broken concrete and bricks, throughout the venue. The fly and rigging system behind the stage is also a priority along with the parking lot.
"Put in LED lighting to really up the lighting levels and make those parking lots feel a lot safer as well," said White.
White said because of all the rain this summer many shows have been canceled making this funding even more crucial.
On Wednesday morning, the Finance Committee advanced the ordinance. Next Thursday, August 10, it will go before the full council for approval.
