Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — Hale Centre Theatre leaders announced that they will sign a lease agreement with Sandy on Thursday to build a new theatre at 9886 Monroe Street.
Mark Dietlein, Hale Centre Theatre president and CEO, said the new theater is scheduled to break ground this fall, and is anticipated to open January 2017.
"Theater enhances and enriches the community; it breathes life into humanity," Dietlein told KSL Wednesday. "This is an opportunity to allow us to touch more lives, double our capacity and allow even more family friendly exposure to this wonderful art form."
The new 130,000 square foot theater will feature two stages with a total of 1,350 seats. Cost is projected at $56 million. Dietlein said it will create more opportunities for local artists and patrons to enjoy high-quality family theater.
"Within a five-year period, we expect it will serve half a million people each year," Dietlein said. "It will more than double our seats."
The current 613-seat theater in West Valley City has functioned at nearly 100 percent capacity since 2004, serving more than 270,000 patrons a year, according to Dietlein.
"We've outgrown the house," he said, adding that the theater has turned away thousands of people unable to get tickets to sold out shows.
The new theater is expected to increase performances from 400 to 500 performances a year in 2017 and eventual grow to more than 700 performances a year between the two stages.
Dietlein said the theater will also allow a greater variety of shows that cater to more audiences, and its two stages will allow actors to perform year-round, since audiences won't have to wait several weeks for completion of a single stage's set design.
The theater's two stages will be a 900-seat center stage and a new "proscenium thrust stage" which will seat an audience of 450, Dietlein said.
Hale Centre Theatre currently employes 33 full-time and about 75 part-time employees, as well as 300 part-time artisans, Dietlein said. The expansion into Sandy will include hiring up to six more full-time employees, 25 part-time employees and bring an additional 200 part-time artisans each year.
This is an opportunity to allow us to touch more lives, double our capacity and allow even more family friendly exposure to this wonderful art form.
–Mark Dietlein, Hale Centre Theatre president and CEO
Dietlein said while the West Valley location has served the theater well, its lease expires in December 2016, and it needed to expand in order to meet demand and maintain the theater's mission to remain affordable to Utah families.
"This ensures the future of Hale Centre Theatre for many years to come," he said.
Ticket prices are expected to increase about five dollars over the next 10 to 15 years, Dietlein said.
Sandy leaders marketed a $42 million, 27-year bond to finance the project, which Hale Centre Theatre will pay in full over time. Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said the new theater will be a "vibrant addition" to the city's master plan for a suburban downtown and will cater to not only residents, but also attract more visitors and tourists.
"We're thrilled they've chosen us as their new home," Dolan said. "It's about building the community … (and) it's a wonderful piece of the puzzle we feel strongly our citizens will enjoy."
West Valley City Manager Wayne Pyle said that while city leaders are sad to see it go, the vacant space will open up new opportunities for the city.
"We have loved the partnership with the Hale group. It's been a great relationship for the last almost 20 years," Pyle said. "I think we've helped them grow and progress and they've certainly helped us … but we wish them well in their endeavors in Sandy."
Pyle said the city is currently considering at least eight possible groups that will take over use of the old theater. He said the city conducted local and national outreach to seek out who will take over, since the city intends to continue the building to function as a theater.
"I think we've got a pretty good spectrum of people that are interested," he said. "It will bring a whole new opportunity, which I think the residents of West Valley City will be excited and pleased to have here."
