Columbia, S.C. (WLTX) - A lot has changed in 80 years, but The Township Auditorium in Columbia has been an unforgettable part of the Capital City.
The auditorium is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation that's turning the city landmark into a state-of-the-art facility. You wouldn't think John Phillip Sousa and his marching band, Harry Conick Junior and comedian Dave Chappelle have much in common, but they've all performed at the Township in its 80 year history. Related Coverage: Township Renovation Plans Released
Auditorium officals are keeping tight-lipped about the venue's next visitor. "We have an idea, but we're not able to divulge it right now,"says Executive Director Sally Roach. She says the information won't be released until next spring. For now, the 3,183-seat auditorium is undergoing a $12 million renovation. Roach took News19 on a tour.
"We're not doing anything different," Roach said, "We're just doing what they originally wanted." A copy of the original 1930 drawings of the building reveal something many folks never knew. "The lobby area was actually supposed to be 20 feet bigger than what we ended up with,"says Roach.
Back then, it would've put the project more than $300,000 over budget. However, the renovation includes a new expanded atrium lobby that will complete the original specifications, and they'll add a modern touch.
Roach says that that is not the only improvement. "The lights will be re-lamped, and of course, all the ribbing across the seating area will be repainted along with resurfaced hardwood floors. Workers will install thousands of new ceiling tiles and mini light bulbs that will be brighter than the massive thousand watt bulbs currently in use, Roach says. Other improvements include new elevators, a new handicap ramp, new concession areas, more restrooms and state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
"This is only just the beginning, but you can see the miles of electrical wiring that we have added on,"says Roach, wiring that will be used for various upgrades. In addition, there will be new dressing rooms, two "star rooms" and a green room along with more office space.
Maybe the biggest surprise Roach says was the discovery of a time capsule with old business cards, signed petitions and two newspapers including The Sunday Record (no longer in print) and an April 6, 1930 issue of The State newspaper.
We asked Roach about the petitions recovered from the time capsule. "These are all the folks who signed petitions and sent letters asking that the Township be moved from the Woodrow Wilson location to this current one,"says Roach.
Original plans called for demolishing the boyhood home of Woodrow Wilson to make room for the Township Auditorium. For now, renovations continue with a grand re-opening scheduled for April. Previous Coverage: Township Auditorium Posts Cryptic Sign
11/19/2009 8:43:47 PM
