Tybee Post Theater: Renovation Work Continues: More Money Needed

The Tybee Post Theater, in the Fort Screven area of the island, has been closed for decades because the building is in desparate need of repair and the money just hasn't been there.

It's another leg of a restoration process years in the making. After many decades of standing vacant, facing demolition and even conversion to condos, the doors and windows of the Tybee Post Theater are being reconstructed to historic standards.

“Every time I walk in this theater, I just can envision what it's going to be like when it's finished and the fun things that we're going to be able to do here. There's a great need on the island for a venue that people can come and enjoy Friday and Saturday night movies and Sunday matinees" says Terry Spatz, a member of the board of directors for Friends of the Tybee Theater, (FOTT).

The funding for this work comes from a $20,000 grant from the state's historic preservation license plate program and the Friends of Tybee Theater pitched in another $10,000

But before the $30,000 dollars that's being put into doors and windows now, they already spend $250,000 on restoring the theater, but they need a lot more $750,000 before the theater can be fully operational, up and running.

"We need to do all the life safety, the permanent lighting and the plumbing and electrical and the air conditioning and heating systems so that it can be a year round facility,” explains Spatz.

The theater will be multi-purpose, seating close to 200 for banquets and almost 250 for theater performances.

Both will bring a new experience for locals and visitors alike, as well as a great economic boom for the city with performances from across the region.

The goal is to have the theater opened by the end of next year, but of course they'll need money.

Folks from the Friends of Tybee Theater are hoping to raise money through fundraisers, donations and hopefully large benefactors. Click here for more information on the theater and how to donate. For the theater's facebook page, click here.

The theater, built in 1930 by the Army, was one of the first Georgia theaters to have sound. After Fort Screven was decommissioned, private owners purchased the theater and the 1940s to 1960s, it was the place to enjoy movies on the island. The lights on the theater went out, however, after the 1960s. The building sat vacant for 20 years before developers wanted to turn the theater into condos. That's when the theater was bought by the Friends of the Tybee Theater (FOTT) in 2006.

Much work still needs to be done once the windows and doors are complete. Since the building is a restoration project, the work must comply with the US Secreatary of Interior.