As published in Toledo Business Journal - February 1, 2016
MCPA/MPC Mark Oberst, photographer
Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) officially opened in mid-December with a celebration featuring Alan Thicke in The Toy Shoppe, thanks to a capital campaign which raised $18.2 million before the building was completed.
The 55,770 square foot facility includes four event spaces and the external grounds: Heminger Atrium, Gardner Family Lounge, Armes Event Hall, Fisher-Wall Gallery, and the MCPA Festival Grounds. All five spaces may be rented for business, social, and civic functions when not scheduled for MCPA productions or events.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation provided the lead gift to launch the campaign, and provided the project foreman for the groundbreaking in July 2014. ACI Construction, from Alvada, Ohio, was the construction manager for this project.
The newly renovated Donnell Theater features seating for 960 people, a 40 x 80-foot stage with sprung floor, professional theater lighting and sound, and backstage dressing rooms and green room. Rental includes use of the theater, the historic theater lobby, green room, three dressing rooms on the stage level floor, and two large chorus dressing rooms on the basement level.
The newly built Armes Event Hall accommodates up to 250 people and is perfect for receptions, meetings, training sessions, recitals, and other performances, according to information from the MCPA. Armes Event Hall features a sprung wood floor which is the same size as the Donnell Theater stage, professional lighting and sound, as well as a catering prep kitchen.
Findlay’s Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) kicked off its opening season with The Toy Shoppe
As the grand entrance of the new Marathon Center, the 1,472 square foot Heminger Atrium features full glass walls and a 1939 art deco chandelier complemented by a radiant design terrazzo floor. According to marketing director Kathleen Stacy, the sconces and chandelier were salvaged from 1930s era Brooklyn, New York theaters. Rental of the atrium also includes use of the Gardner Family Lounge which overlooks the atrium and includes a bar with space for tables and chairs.
The 1,728 square foot Fisher-Wall Art Gallery offers a location for smaller gatherings to socialize with friends or clients both before a show or event and also on non-show days and times. For meetings, workshops, discussion groups, lectures, and other similar uses, the gallery provides an inspirational backdrop to get creative juices flowing, according to the MCPA.
The 96,000 square foot landscaped grounds around the MCPA provide space for outdoor events such as craft shows, carnivals, company events, and musical performances. The fully-paved lot allows for easy setup of tables, booths, tents, and stages with street and lot parking in the area on evenings and weekends.
The Marathon Center’s Heminger Atrium
MCPA/Eric Leszkowicz, photographer
The MCPA is a transformation of Findlay Central Middle School’s auditorium, which was saved when the school was demolished. The property was transferred from Findlay City Schools to the Blanchard Valley Port Authority. The Hancock County Performing Arts Center board then received ownership of the property.
In August 2007, the Blanchard River flood caused much damage throughout the Findlay area. Central Middle School was most affected with offices, the cafeteria, and computer equipment being impacted by floodwater.
As a precaution, the renovations to the auditorium include flood mitigation measures. These measures include roof and storm drain separation, backflow prevention installation, and generator back-up system installation. The architectural design provides all of the new construction to be either flood resistant or, like the new lobby floor, above the flood plain.
Upcoming shows include The Toledo Symphony Celebrates the Oscars, Journey Unauthorized, and Moscow Festival Ballet: Cinderella. According to Stacy, the MCPA also hopes to begin arts education classes in the new basement spaces in 2016.