The tarp is down, for the time being, as a big step is being taken in the construction of the new theatre in Weyburn. The work on pouring the foundation started Friday morning, a major milestone for the project.
“We're just hoping that the weather cooperates, and they can get the concrete out there,” Weyburn Theatre Community Service Co-operative President Ryan Janke told Discover Weyburn.
With the foundation being poured and the slab that will provide the structure for the floor of the theatre planned, one of the next steps will be the completion of the walls for the building. The goal for that phase of the construction project, one of the biggest for downtown Weyburn in recent memory, is before winter.
“That’s the next major milestone in the construction,” Janke added. “Our hope (is) to have the walls up before the snow flies this year. So, look for that on 3rd Street.”
Janke explained that for a major project like this, the visible milestones help to build excitement in the community and confidence that the project is approaching a finish line.
“Having that concrete there is like a permanent fixture,” he said. “Having the slab poured on top of that will be even better.”
With the co-operative still actively fundraising to meet its goals for completion, each of these milestones also helps.
“Once those walls are up, that just makes it look like it’s got enough momentum that there’s nothing going to stop us,” Janke explained.
The construction progress will also help the newly formed fundraising committee. They are tasked with helping reach the finish line for the project and are currently launching sponsorship packages for local businesses. The visible progress shows potential donors that not only is the project actively moving forward, but their contributions have a tangible impact.
With the construction continuing through the summer, residents of Weyburn and the donors for the massive project will be able to see the results of their contributions literally rise from the ground up.