Historic “Park Theatre” Construction Underway
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MCKENZIE, Tenn. — The historic Park Theater in McKenzie will soon reopen its doors for performances by Bethel University students, movies and more. Construction workers drilled boards and laid concrete Tuesday, hoping to restore the theater to its original 1940’s appearance. According to Mayor Jill Holland, a state parks and recreation grant for more than $100,000 plus donations are funding the more than $150,000 renovation. “Those people who did grow up here are really really exited about the prospects of what the theater is going to be,” Holland said. The building closed in the late 90s. For the last three years, city leaders have worked to find funding for this project in hopes of restoring life to Cedar Street. Kim Barker, a sergeant at the McKenzie police department, is one of those city leaders. “I remember there was nothing around here to do at that time and we would come to town and go to the theater,” Barker said. “And then we got a little older we would love to get in the balcony with our girlfriends.” Holland hopes to have the front of the building finished by April. “The Park Theater was just a huge part of everyone’s life that was growing up here,” Holland said. There’s no word on when the theater will officially open. The city is holding tea at Bethel at 6 p.m. on Monday to raise money for the theater restoration. To find out how to purchase tickets for the event, contact the McKenzie City Hall.
