An aerial view of the roof collapse at the Historic Vista Theater in Negaunee is shown. The incident occurred around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Officials say there were reports of a loud, thunder-like noise in the area, followed by a plume of yellow dust that spanned about a block. (Photo courtesy of the city of Negaunee)

By JOURNAL STAFF

MARQUETTE — A western Marquette County organization is looking for help to save an iconic downtown Negaunee building.

It’s been two years since the roof collapsed on the auditorium of the Vista Theater and the Peninsula Arts Appreciation board has been working behind the scenes to save the building.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support we have had so far,” said PAAC board president Rusty Bowers. “We’ve been able to get the basics done to prepare the building, but now we need some local boots on the ground.”

Bowers said there is only one requirement for serving on the board, you need to be a member.

“But that’s easy, you can just go to our website and sign up. $20 gets you a membership, and a $50 membership gives you voting rights. But to serve on the board, you just need to be a member.”

The annual membership meeting will be held at St. John’s Church in Negaunee on Monday.

The organization has raised and spent more than $100,000 to secure the building over the last two years, but needs help to put on a new roof, and more importantly make the buildings useable again.

“We really feel strongly that the two buildings we own could be a major part of the economic development of Negaunee.” Bowers said. “But to do that we are hoping that people from western Marquette County can share and add to our vision. We’re asking people from the Negaunee and Ishpeming area to step up and be on our board.”

The organization is still paying for work that’s already been done. Bowers said he is grateful for the help and patience from the contractor who helped to brace the interior structure of the auditorium.

The city, he said, has also played a major role and the board is still working with historic theater expert Thomas Gerdom, who has laid out a plan for the theater and annex buildings once the

Vice President Diane Darlington said the can drive has been an instrumental source of revenue during the pandemic.

She also said she is grateful for the support of local businesses and the volunteers who helped to work on the can drive.

“We had nearly 100 volunteers who sorted about $20,000 in cans and bottles.” Darlington said. “We still have a lot more to sort. That being said, every little bit helps. Even an hour of your time can make all the difference to us.”

The annual meeting starts at 7 p.m. new board members will be elected and an update on the building will be provided. For more information visit the Historic Vista Theater Facebook page

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mining Journal City Editor Lisa Bowers is currently the volunteer secretary of the Vista Theater (PAAC) Advisory Board.