Edison Sault grants $35,000 to Soo Theatre Project

From The Sault Evening News, January 4, 2005:

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Board of Directors of Edison Sault Electric Company (ESEC) have responded favorably to a request from the Soo Theatre Project group for a monetary contribution towards the Theatre redevelopment by allocating a grant of $35,000, according to a ESEC release.

"It is a pleasure for me to make this announcement as our board feels strongly that these types of citizen initiatives need the support of the local business community," said Donald Sawruk, president of Edison Sault.

"The Edison Sault Board was also pleased to see that city residents felt strongly enough about downtown development to pass a recent ballot proposal supporting the construction of a new parking facility. The parent company of Edison Sault Electric, WE Energies, is committed to recognizing citizen initiatives within the service area of Edison Sault. Over the past several years, Edison Sault and WE Energies has also contributed to other various public facilities construction in St. Ignace, Hessel and on Mackinac Island."

Sawruk also noted that these types of contributions come from the shareholder profits of Edison Sault and WE Energies and act as a reduction to net income.

"This generous contribution from Edison Sault Electric has given us a bright start to the new year," said Soo Theatre Project President Dianna George. "The project is taking on a life of its own and the growing community support is most encouraging."

"This donation gives us a major piece of the matching funds required for the Cool Cities Grant and also provides seed money for future grants," added Project Vice President Colleen Arbic.

Our December 2004 Brochure Is Now Available

Our December 2004 Newsletter is now available online. A PDF version is also available.

Justin Swims for the Lights

From The Sault Evening News, December 6, 2004:

SAULT STE. MARIE - Local attorney Dyke Justin, 51, in answer to a challenge by the local Rotary Club, swam 30 miles at the Norris Center pool this past weekend in 23 hours, 43 minutes. In a fund-raising effort for the Soo Theater project, the local Sault Rotary Club secured pledges to see Justin do his record-breaking swim. Final numbers on the pledges are still coming in, but the Rotary estimates it to be nearly $5,000.

Justin entered the pool at noon on Friday, and climbed out at 11:43 a.m. on Saturday - a full 17 minutes short of 24 hours. During the swim, he never touched the bottom or got out of the pool. Rotarians were on hand the whole time as official lap counters, and Justin's family stayed with him for encouragement.

Organ Donations (Pipe Organs, That Is)

Thanks to two generous people, Soo Theatre Project is now the proud owner of two theatre pipe organs. And thanks to John Ignatowski for locating them, and organizing the “moving parties” of volunteers to get them here.

Donated to STP by John Neyrinck is a W. W. Kimball Theatre Pipe Organ, built in 1924 for the Lyric Theatre in Blue Island, Illinois. And thanks to John Rinn for donating a Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, built in 1916 for the Stratford Theatre in Detroit.

Each instrument will be installed in its own organ loft in the Soo Theatre and will be playable together as one instrument, but will remain playable separately as well. Soo Theatre will definitely be unique with two theatre pipe organs.

Soo Theatre Interior and Restoration Photos

Check our website for some photos of the inside of the Soo Theatre and the ongoing restoration effort.

If you would like more information about the Soo Theatre Project or would like to find out how you can help, please email us.