Chester weighing options for Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

BY ERIKA NORTON
CHESTER — With less than two weeks left before voters decide whether to approve the Town of Chester’s $1.1 million bond resolution to buy the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, the plan for the theater is still being discussed.
Earlier this month, Tin Barn Brewing owners Dale and Lauren VanPamelen pitched their idea to operate the theater in conjunction with an onsite brewery. According to Chester Town Supervisor Alex Jamieson, they are no longer interested in the property, but are looking at other locations in the town for their brewery.
“They have inquired about other properties in the town,” Jamieson said. “They called us asking about a certain number of properties. They did a presentation, but they feel that there are other properties in the town that better suit their needs.”
Deputy Supervisor Robert Valentine and Councilman Ryan C. Wensley have been coordinating the purchase, Jamieson said. They were to update the public at Wednesday night's town board meeting, held as this paper goes to press.
“The town is leaving all options on the table,” Jamieson said.
In a Facebook post this week, Valentine echoed this sentiment.
“The brewery was just a presentation to the town board,” Valentine wrote. “We are considering all options for the theater and accepting all presentations. No decision has been or will be made until after election.
“We have several other ideas to present all will include a robust theater/concert hall venue,” he continued. “Either town run with contract operation or leased venue. We want what is best for Sugarloaf and Chester and the most bang for the buck also allowing plenty of time for education and children's experience. Also community availability for special events.”
Valentine also said that the town’s purchase is “a steal” and would have little to no tax implications.
However, the town would lose tax revenue if it were to own the property.
Town’s initial planWhen the town first announced its intent to buy the center from current owners Mid-Hudson Civic Center, the plan was to have the town continue running the facility as a theater as a contract operation. Steve Cirbus, a Chester resident and actor with a 25-year career in stage and film, presented his plan to revitalize the theater and hold plays, musicals, concerts, films, comedic acts, lectures, and educational programs. The facility consists of a 688-seat main stage theater, the 240-seat Pavilion, and the 2000-seat outdoor Wharf Theater.
The theater was the vision of Richard Logothetis, owner of Lycian Stage Lighting. It was built in 1992 called the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts. In 2012, the Kings Theatre Company took ownership of the Lycian Centre and changed the name.
But in 2015, Mid-Hudson Civic Center bought the complex for $504,893. Since then, the number of productions at the theater has dwindled dramatically, with only the occasional event over the past few years.
Cirbus said that he would like a typical season at the theater to offer six resident and seven guest productions, and an international film festival featuring approximately 85 performances.
Go to chroniclenewspaper.com for coverage of the Wednesday, Oct. 24, town board meeting.