Come to a Family Skate and Pizza Party!

Come to a benefit Family Skate and Pizza Party before the snow completely goes!

The party takes place on Saturday, April 9, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chi Mukwa Arena in Sault Ste. Marie. Admission is $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family. Skate rental is available at $2 per pair, in Youth Size 10 to Adult 13. Be Safe! Wear a Helmet!

The party is sponsored by the Soo Co-op Credit Union. Proceeds are to benefit the Soo Theatre Project, Inc.

Advance tickets are available at all Sault Ste. Marie Branch locations. For more information, call the Soo Co-Op Credit Union at (906) 632-6819 Ext. 44.

Many thanks to the Chi Mukwa Arena for hosting this fund-raising event for us!

Don't miss this fun family event!

Thanks To All Who Brought the Wall Down

Soo Theatre Project, Inc. wishes to thank these people for donating labor and services to "Knock Down the Walls" and remove the debris:

• Carmine Bonacci and Bonacci Contracting
• Malette Construction Equipment
• Waste Management
• High School Students and Teachers from the Skill Center Construction Technology Class
• Chippewa County Sheriff's Department Community Service Program
• Great Lakes Plywood
• Arbic Construction
• The City of Sault Ste. Marie
• Many Soo Theatre Project Volunteers
• Contributors to "The Curtain Can't Go Up Until The Wall Comes Down" Campaign

Block by Block, The Wall Comes Down

The Soo Theatre, completed in 1930, was divided into two movie theatres in 1974 by a sturdy, fireproof concrete block wall. The restoration of the theatre to its former glory had to start with the removal of that wall. Thus "The Curtain Can't Go Up Until the Wall Comes Down" campaign was born, complete with a song composed by Soo Theatre Project board member John Ignatowski.

Follow the story of how The Wall came down this spring. As shown in words, pictures, and even one video, this thrilling chapter in the Theatre's history was made possible through the truly monumental efforts of many local people.

Work on the New Music and Dance Studios Is Underway

Conversion of the Soo Theatre Project storefronts into music and dance studios and a café is underway. New pictures of the demolition and construction are now available online.

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.