Panida challenges

SANDPOINT - It's getting harder to keep on track with planned renovations at the Panida Theater when the North Idaho elements are trying to break into the building.

Employees recently discovered several large puddles of water on the floor of the adjacent Little Theater. The ceiling above boasted a new hole, dripping with water, while paint on the adjacent damaged walls in the gallery area sagged from water weight.

The culprit was likely an accumulation of melting snow that may have contributed to the flat roof's failure. There was no damage to a local school-age artist exhibition that had been displayed on the gallery walls.

"I think it's been building up," Panida Theater Executive Director Patricia Walker White said.

The roof received a temporary repair last week, she said.

The timing of the damage is a challenge for the nonprofit theater organization. Planned capital improvements involve installing fire alarms, followed later by installation of a sprinkler system and ceiling repair in the main theater, according to White. Replacing the roof was further down the road.

The roof work involves replacing the existing roof with a sloped roof to allow for more efficient drainage. She has received two estimates for the replacement, she said, ranging between $37,000 and $59,000. It's money the Panida Theater Committee doesn't currently have budgeted. What to do? White shrugged.

"Make the Little Theater more profitable," she said.

The 88-year-old theater was the focus of a community renovation effort in the mid-1980s, and has been slowly undergoing renovations since through donations and grants. Renovations were delayed in 2013 by the purchase and installation of a new $60,000 digital projection system, needed to accommodate changes in movie industry movie formats.

The unexpected damage underscores the importance of the theater's annual fund drive at the end of the month.

"There will be a list of needs on the website soon," White said.

To make a donation go to www.panida.org and click on the donation tab in the middle of the home page.