Town officials in Oak Bluffs may soon face decisions about the fate of the dilapidated Island Theatre, including whether to tear the building down or initiate repairs and who pays for it all.
Town officials in Oak Bluffs may soon face decisions about the fate of the dilapidated Island Theatre, including whether to tear the building down or initiate repairs and who pays for it all.
One day after Oak Bluffs officials threatened legal action that could lead to demolition, repair work was underway at the theater.
Roof repairs have begun on the Island Theater, following a recent letter from the Oak Bluffs building inspector declaring the theater unsafe. Building inspector Mark Barbadoro ordered the Hall family, which owns the theatre, to begin immediate repairs.
Mark Snider, owner of the Winnetu Oceanside Resort and the founder of a new nonprofit, is finalizing an agreement with Benjamin Hall Jr. to lease the Capawock and Strand theatres for 10 years, and reopen them beginning this summer.
Moviegoers should not look to Oak Bluffs to catch the latest blockbusters, as both the Island and the Strand theatre are closed until further notice. The historic Island, currently roofless, will most likely not be in commission before next summer. And despite efforts to reopen it, the Strand remains out of use.
