NEGAUNEE — The Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council provided an update on the status of the Historic Vista Theater on Thursday.

PAAC members voted unanimously at a Sept. 14 PAAC meeting to allow the theater board to move forward with all efforts, up to and including negotiating a possible sale of the building to a third-party investor, according to a press release.

The idea of a third party purchasing the 94-year-old building was first presented at the Sept. 10 Negaunee City Council meeting. Negaunee City Manager and former PAAC Board President Nate Heffron told council members at the meeting that there was a potential buyer.

Indeed, a buyer is interested, but no offers have been made, according to newly-appointed PAAC Board President Rusty Bowers.

Heffron recently resigned from his PAAC board position to avoid any conflict of interest with his city obligations.

Bowers will serve as board president for the remainder of Heffron’s term.

“Right now, we are focused on raising money to remove the debris, shore up the walls and cap the stage house and lobby portions of the building to protect them from the elements,” Bowers said in the release. “Public safety is our primary concern, and we will continue our fundraising efforts to get that done.”

Bowers thanked Heffron for his time with the organization.

“Nate brought a lot of energy to the board,” he said. “He was a great addition to the organization, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his capacity as city manager as we work toward the future of the Vista Theater and the organization itself. He has always been a great advocate for our organization.”

As of Sunday afternoon, PAAC has raised $22,145 on its GoFundMe campaign to save the theater building.

PAAC is still hoping to reach its target of $100,000, which is the estimated cost of bracing the building for winter.

Negaunee High School classes, spearheaded by the NHS Class of 1969, have been working to raise money for the theater by the end of September.

According to the release, PAAC is currently working with a contractor, which is investigating the best way to remove the debris from the building and then begin the process of shoring up the walls.

A roofing contractor has also agreed to adjust their labor cost and allow some of the materials needed to be purchased at a reduced cost.

The roof restoration is expected to cost $200,000 to complete, with work expected to begin in the spring.

“We are very grateful for the support of the community,” Bowers said in the release. “We have had hundreds of people donate, and more have reached out to offer assistance with our fundraising efforts.”

The roof collapsed on the morning of Aug. 26 due to heavy rainfall in the area overnight. The cause was deemed a roof drainage failure.

For updates on the future of the theater, or to donate to the GoFundMe campaign, visit the Vista Theater Facebook page at www.facebook.com/paacvistatheater or the theater’s website at www.vistatheater.org.

“We are asking anyone who can donate to our GoFundMe to do so,” Bowers said. “If you can’t donate, please share our cause as much as you can. We will also be launching other ways to donate including a large can drive. We are coming at this from all angles and reaching out in a variety of ways.

“Nothing is too big and nothing is too small, everything helps.”

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.