Plans are underway for a theater to be added to the back of the Lumberyard Arts Center. Organizers hope to start this project soon.

The addition of the theater is phase two of the entire Lumberyard Arts Center’s plan, which started in the early 2000s. Phase one was getting the center open for art shows and galleries for the public to attend.

Sandy Cardens and Laura Morford formed the idea of the Lumberyard Arts Center over a cup of coffee in the fall of 2002. They presented their idea to the owners of the old building, and from there the Lumberyard Arts Center took off. Shortly after presenting and gaining the support of the community to create a local arts center, the two women, along with volunteers, began raising funds to make their dream a reality.

Now that the first phase is complete, phase two is finally in action.

“It’s been a long process to get this phase started, but once we get everything put together, the theater is going to be something really special for our community,” volunteer Becki Dick said.

The team working on the project is still in the process of designing the theater. As of now, there is no set number for how many guests will be able to attend an event at the theater, but they hope it will accommodate somewhere between 150 and 200 people.

“It will take time and the support of our community, but all of the time put into it will show. I think people will appreciate that,” volunteer Linda Everett said.

Sherry Bowen, a worker at LAC, hopes the new theater will benefit all types of people living in Baldwin City and even those from out of town.

“I am excited about it being available to the community, and I think it will be a good addition to the arts center,” Bowen said.

She went on to say that the center hopes the new theater will be used for a variety of different events, including plays, single performer acts, corporate functions and private parties. Once the theater is finished, customers will be able to rent it for any of these types of events.

Bowen hopes that the theater will be used frequently for years to come. In addition to that, she thinks the addition will bring life to downtown Baldwin City.

“Our goal is for the new theater to be used often, bringing more people into town,” Bowen said. “It would be great if the theater could help revitalize down town.”