Panida board, community moving in positive direction

Growing pains are never easy, as we well understand in Sandpoint. They can take place in the most unimaginable places. Obviously, the Panida Theater has been experiencing them lately and it's taken its toll on the old theater, the community, as well as the well-intentioned folks who have chosen to come on board to take care of her for a term or two. We've all been bruised and bashed around some, grappling with the many opposing ideas and disagreements in the name of the theater. Emotional havoc usually comes not from the issues that divide us so much as from the things we say and do because of the issues that divide us.

After weeks of public scrutiny and much debate about where the Panida is headed and why, the board is currently moving in a positive direction by means of understanding and communicating with each other. With increased awareness, we are moving forward to meet the goal of our mission: "Sandpoint's historic Panida Theater, the premier performing arts center of the Inland Northwest, seeks to enrich community life through excellence and diversity in programming and production."

The board has voted to reconsider the decision to split the executive director position and has passed a resolution that we will work to achieve as near a consensus as possible on this issue before we proceed. We're all taking the decision seriously and are bringing in a facilitator to help us find the common ground to make a resolution that everyone can support.

We made a unified decision in the summer of 2003, when the building next door to the Panida came up for sale, to act before the opportunity was lost. For those of you who don't know, the purchase of the old Kamloops Bar was made to enable us to solve critical space shortages with the main stage by tying the back of the annex building into the main theater; to expand our very small lobby area in the Panida; to provide a quieter environment for our shows; and to be able to offer another smaller intimate venue for community use. After a year of facelifts, new renters and a space available to accommodate an array of possibilities, the new Little Theater is well on its way. This month we are asking for new and renewed pledges in our five-year plan to pay off our expanded theater and retail space.

We are in negotiations with Carrier Corporation to begin work on our long-awaited HVAC system. Antique carriage lamps that originally lit our entrance have been restored and re-installed. And the marquee, just this summer, has been rewired and brought back to it initial splendor.

We are committed to working together with the community to ensure the stability and growth of the Theater. We will be expanding our staff to help steward the Panida into a bright and progressive future. It is vital that in this year of growth and change that the community continue to embrace the heart and soul of Sandpoint, the Panida Theater.

We appreciate your continued support.

Karen Bowers

Executive director

Deb McShane

President,

Board of directors