The Palace Theater could get a little bit cooler later this year.
The Palace Theater could get a little bit cooler later this year.
Last week’s announcement of grants-in-aid in the state budget included $130,000 for installing an air conditioning system in the historic 92-year-old building. It’s the first time any state money has been designated to the “Cool the Palace” fundraising effort.
“We’re moving,” Palace executive director Morgan Bahurinsky said Tuesday.
The Palace, located on Haili Street in downtown Hilo, already applied for new building and electric permits to complete the installation and secured approval from the State Historic Preservation Division for the upgrades.
The total cost of the installation project is about $300,000. The state grant, combined with $50,000 in community donations, would be a little more than 60 percent of the campaign’s goal.
Grants-in-aid are provided to nonprofit organizations. This year’s budget includes $5.4 million for Hawaii Island groups.
The budget, though approved by the Legislature, still must be signed by Gov. David Ige.
If the final proposal is cleared, it will be a turning point for the Palace’s ongoing efforts to make the theater more comfortable for patrons.
“It’s been a long haul to get to this point,” Wendy Peskin, president of the Friends of the Palace Theater board, said in a statement.
The Palace was one of the first buildings in Hilo to have air conditioning. A system was installed shortly after World War II, but by the 1970s was defunct. In the 1980s, the theater itself closed.
After it reopened in 1999, reviving the air conditioning system took a back seat to other upgrades. A new campaign formally began in 2015, shortly after a successful effort to build a new roof on the Palace wrapped.
During the next year, the Palace raised a little less than $140,000 to install solar panels — a key step in the overall air conditioning goal, as the panels made the imposing electric costs of a new system more feasible.
Most of the solar panel fundraising contributions came from community donations. The Hawaii County Council also provided $25,000 toward the effort.
The panels were installed last August and are expected to save the theater between $12,000 and $16,000 annually on electric costs.
“As soon as we get the electrical permits, then we can start because you have to get the electrical work done before you can do anything else,” Bahurinsky said. “We’re really going to put out a major focus on fundraising to get this (remaining) $120,000, but in the meantime, we can start forward (motion).”
The $300,000 will “allow us to get to the first stage,” Bahurinsky said. “This way it’ll be cool for most events.”
Upgrades likely will be needed to keep the theater cool during summer events when there is a full house.
“That’s what happens at most places,” Bahurinsky said of the staggered renovation efforts.
The theater also is working to secure additional grants.
To contribute to the Palace air conditioning campaign, visit http://hilopalace.com/support/theater-comfort-campaign.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.