The original Park Theater Action Committee, now The Park Theater Trust (TPTT), researched the previous, very diligent attempts to re-open the Park, and took a close look at what was working for other communities and their small cinemas.
Every community needs a shining light
We’ve done a lot of homework…
It was determined that for Lafayette, success and sustainability is achievable via a partnership between a nonprofit owning the building, and then leasing and working in close collaboration with a mission-driven, for-profit Operator who will offer movies and collaborate with affiliate community programs to develop a regular calendar of additional, diversified programming that attracts multigenerational interest and users.
We also learned that in many cases, multiple screens offered a stronger path to success and sustainability, so our plan for the Park Theater is to reconfigure the interior in such a way as to incorporate two screens in a format flexible enough to accommodate and showcase additional types of programming.
And just what is the definition of “mission-driven” ?
The Park needs to be profitable in order to survive, and for that to happen in Lafayette, our research points to a for-profit Operator. However, the goal of TPTT, in addition to profitability for the theater (and therefore additional success for arts and culture in Lafayette), is to find an Operator who listens and responds to the community he/she is serving – with programming, job training, job opportunities, sustainability, and responsibility.
This is our definition of “mission-driven.” We believe it is attainable.
This is Our ONCE AND
FOREVER Opportunity
In 1941, the Park Theater came into being out of a desire for arts, culture, entertainment — and community — in downtown Lafayette.
This is 2020 and the goals have not changed. This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to save this cultural icon. The Park Theater can light up Lafayette again but to bring it back to life, we need community. We need YOU!
Together, we can create a downtown space designed to entertain and engage us all. Together, let’s light up the Park ... and light up Lafayette!
A multipurpose venue for EVERYONE, young and old
