| The
Strand Theater has already begun to foster a wide range of
economic and community benefits, not only to
Zelienople, but the entire North Pittsburgh region.
Where
once a decaying eyesore once stood, the renovated theater
has now beautified Zelienople’s Main
Street with its colorful marquee and distinctive
facade. The original ticket booth still stands,
fully restored, in the same place it has stood since
1914. The
project has injected hundreds of thousands
of dollars into the local economy in the first phase
of construction alone, and two more phases of work are
in the planning stages.
Theater
patrons provide a boost to other local businesses in the borough.
Recent studies have shown that cultural tourists spend
an average of $23 over and above the ticket
price. Based on that statistic, The Strand has
already contributed over $200,000 into the local
economy since it reopened in July of 2009.
Zelienople
now hosts to a cultural jewel from which the entire
north Pittsburgh region will benefit.
The
Initiative's non-profit status and civic-minded Mission
Statement means that the performing arts will be more
accessible to mainstream audiences.
Other
charities benefit from having access to The Strand to
support their mission goals and objectives.
Several benefit concerts and programs have been
presented, raising money for local initiative and
global needs.
Underprivileged
and disadvantaged groups will have free or deeply
discounted access to professional level performing
arts.
The
Strand will provide an outlet for Youth-oriented and
public education groups to learn about the theater
arts.
The
Strand Theater Initiative has been created for the
sole purpose of creating a professional level
performing arts center from a local eyesore that had
been abandoned for nearly two decades. It is the
sincere hope that you will financially support this
initiative as it continues to operate in its current
capacity while raising the millions needed for the
next two phases of the renovation. In turn an entire region will benefit from
a cultural jewel that will provide entertainment,
education, and community outreach. |