HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIANCOUNTYNOW) — The Christian County Fiscal Court took the first steps in evaluating the extent of repairs that the Alhambra will have to undergo in the new year. The historic building is in need of roof repairs before further damage is done.
According to Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam, the theater has been showing signs of roofing issues for quite some time, and repairs to the building are expected to be a large undertaking. “It’s going to be a big one,” said Gilliam during a special called Fiscal Court meeting on Dec. 27.
“She’s a 96-year-old building, so we go over her with a pretty fine tooth comb a lot. We did a major renovation in 2018, so it’s really something we’ve been watching since then,” Pennyroyal Arts Council Executive Director Margaret Prim told Christian County Now.
According to Prim, the issues with the roof have not affected events or productions. The request for repairs is a preventative measure to get ahead of the problem before it gets worse. During the Dec. 27 meeting, magistrates voted to accept a proposal for repairs. Once the necessary work is identified by contractors, a plan will be made for repairs.
While the timeline is up in air as the scope of the work is being determined, Prim disclosed that this will give them the opportunity to invest in additional technical and curtain upgrades. The ceiling inside the theater would also be restored to match the facade of the walls. “It’s a long process, but in our business, you have to plan far ahead of time. I hope in the next 30-45 days we will have a plan,” said Prim.
Gilliam said that a project like this would likely require the theater to close for a few months. While programming at the Alhambra may have to shift to accommodate these renovations, Prim is optimistic that they will find a way to pivot and utilize their available space to best serve the community.
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