Elgin weighing theater's future

Could the final act be near for Elgin's aging Hemmens Cultural Center?

Elgin leaders will consider tonight signing off on a $291,000 study to look at whether it could be expanded or renovated to serve the city for the next 25 years.

The study also includes five 50-foot-deep soil samples around the theater, presumably to check whether the land is OK for a new building.

"This study is to really focus on the Hemmens at this time, to look at it, what needs to be done, does it make sense to spend money on the building or to build another," City Manager Femi Folarin said.

Artists and audience members have complained about poor acoustics, lack of first-floor washrooms and other amenities at the facility, which opened in 1969.

Officials for Elgin, which owns, operates and subsidizes the facility, say the theater's 1,200-seat capacity makes it more difficult to turn a profit -- or at least break even -- with first-rate acts compared to other facilities with 2,000 seats or more.

Meanwhile, it costs more each year to maintain.

Two years ago, a study presented three options: erect a new facility for $125 million; make $20 million to $30 million in renovations to improve sound and slightly increase seating; or let the facility serve out its life span while the quality of performances and ticket sales drop.

No final decision was made.

The 2006 study also concluded the Hemmens is the economic engine for the downtown, that it was close to being considered functionally obsolete, and that the city of Elgin and surrounding area was a big enough market to support a larger venue.

Mayor Ed Schock said a new study is needed for a detailed, extensive look at the Hemmens itself.

"It's a big decision. We really need to have the best information. The last information was good, but not complete. We need the complete picture," he said.

"Before we decide to move on, we should have more specific and definitive numbers on what is possible and not possible with the current facility."

If approved by the city, the Chicago-based Economics Research Associates study will be completed by late 2008 or early 2009 and include an expansion scenario, data collection, program recommendations and an infrastructure assessment.