Quake Repairs Underway at Towne Theater

Two years to the day after it closed, workers Wednesday began the long-awaited renovation of Fillmore’s landmark Towne Theater, which was badly damaged in the Northridge earthquake.

Councilwoman Linda Brewster said she hopes to see the theater’s lone screen illuminated by the end of August with a Kirk Douglas movie.

“He has been so supportive of the theater,” Brewster said. The veteran actor has donated $5,000 in cash and thousands of dollars worth of movie memorabilia to raise money for the renovation project.

The theater’s rear wall and roof collapsed in the quake. But thanks to a $475,000 state grant and more than $15,000 in private donations, work to repair the theater got underway Wednesday.

“It’s a focal point in the community,” Brewster said of the theater, which opened in 1916. “It’s been here as long as we can remember.”

Aside from the new roof and wall, the theater will get a fresh coat of paint along with new seats and carpet.

Meanwhile, members of the Save the Towne Theater committee said they hope to raise another $250,000 to build a live stage in the theater.

“It was originally a vaudeville theater,” committee member Lori Hofferber said. “A live stage will make it a really nice theater.”