The Struthers Library Theatre is an integral part of Warren County.

It’s time for all of us to do our part to make sure it stays that way.

The theatre’s board is looking to complete a $552,000 capital campaign that will pay for new upper-floor windows for safety and heat retention, replacing 142-year-old galvanized steel plumbing, ensuring safety and reliability, replacing the auditorium, balcony, and hallway carpet, upgrading the lighting throughout the theatre with modern LED fixtures, and restoring the original 142-year-old terrazzo flooring in the lobby. Upgraded lighting will improve the on-stage experience while newer windows will help the theater save money on its utility bills. Groups who use the rehearsal hall do so more comfortably.

Most of those who support this campaign won’t physically see many of these upgrades. But they are necessary for the theater to continue providing high-quality entertainment like the Wallflowers, Blues Traveler and Ricky Skaggs as well as a space for the next generation of county artists to have a place to perform.

There are two reasons why those who can help should consider a donation to the Struthers campaign. The first is that the theatre provides a valuable space for youth to perform, and it’s hard to put a price on providing a place for those youth to both entertain and learn valuable life lessons that can only be learned as part of a performing group. The second is that projects like this prevent even bigger fundraising campaigns in the future. The campaign has already raised $330,000 – leaving $222,000 now that the campaign has gone public. Many smaller cities have seen theaters like ours torn down over the years. We’ve gone the opposite route by digging deep to preserve the Struthers Library Theatre.

It’s a commitment that we should continue by bringing the Preserving Heritage, Building Tomorrow fundraising campaign across the finish line.