What’s at the Windsor: Renovation Nears Completion; Grand Reopening Planned for Thanksgiving Weekend
With reconstruction and painting of the auditorium ceiling and replastering and painting of the auditorium walls completed, work shifted to the hallway between the auditorium and lobby and the two stairways connecting the balcony to the first floor.
Pro Wall employees completed the remaining plaster repairs on Friday, November 6. The work included repairing damaged areas with mesh and drywall compound, applying a skim coat to create smooth wall surfaces, and preparing the walls and ceilings for painting.
The Jennings Painting crew arrived Monday, November 9. Painting of the stairways and hallway is scheduled to be completed Tuesday, November 10.
Midwest Alarm Services reactivated the laser-beam fire detection system located at the auditorium ceiling level on Monday, November 9.
Once the painting is completed, Servpro will begin cleaning the auditorium's 286 seats, carpet and flooring. Carpet on the stairways leading to the balcony, along with the hallway and lobby carpeting, will also be cleaned. Servpro estimates the cleaning will take three to five business days.
Movies and Grand Reopening Plans
I am working with my booking agent to schedule upcoming movies, including special Saturday holiday matinees, through the first week of 2027. The first movie to be shown for the week will be The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping starting Friday, November 20.
The official grand reopening of the Windsor Theatre is being planned for Thanksgiving weekend. The theatre will be a stop during the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce's Friday Uncorked event on Friday, November 27.
On Saturday, November 28, following Franklin REC's Light Up the Night activities, The Polar Express will be shown at 3 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Chamber ambassadors will take place on the stage just prior to the matinee. Following the movie, a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the auditorium reconstruction project will be shown.
After Franklin REC's Lighted Parade, everyone is invited to return to the Windsor for a 7 p.m. showing of a holiday movie to be announced.
Upcoming Theatre Activities
Scheduled rehearsals for the upcoming production of The Lantern at the Windsor Theatre begin Sunday, November 15. Performances are scheduled for December 11-13. No movies will be shown during the week leading up to the production to allow time for rehearsals, set construction and final preparations for the three-day performance.
The spotlights that were temporarily removed during the ceiling replacement will also be reattached.
While the theatre remains closed, popcorn sales will continue Sundays and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. through Wednesday, November 18. Other concessions will also be available.
Donations Still Welcome
Tax-deductible contributions to help with the Windsor Theatre auditorium ceiling reconstruction project are still being accepted.
Donations may be mailed to:
Windsor Theatre Development Corporation
PO Box 303
Hampton, IA 50441
For more information call or text theatre manager Jim Davies at 641-425-4707.
