Orange County Legislature approves Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center purchase amid calls for a concrete long-term plan

The Orange County Legislature approved a resolution to purchase the Sugarloaf Performing Arts Center in the town of Chester on July 1, 2025, voting 21-0 to authorize a supplemental appropriation to the 2025 county budget for the Real Property Tax Services office and to proceed with the acquisition.

The measure, introduced as a resolution pursuant to section 4.09 of the Orange County Charter, passed by roll call after several legislators praised the venue's cultural value but urged a detailed plan for renovations, staffing and long-term operations beyond the transition period.

Legislator Totell, who led several of the comments in favor of the purchase, said the center "has been a boon for Sugarloaf" and compared it to other county-owned performing arts centers in New York State. Totell urged county staff to produce a detailed plan, saying the facility "can't be just anybody who runs a successful theater and does successful bookings and knows what the business is and what the house requires."

Legislator Sassy said she would vote yes but raised specific concerns: "I am in favor of this. I am going to be voting yes, but I do want to raise a concern. I'm all for culture... but I remain concerned at the cost of renovation, future modifications, and also the staffing and maintenance." Legislator Ramos echoed that while supportive of arts initiatives, he did not see a "real plan beyond the transition period" and emphasized responsibility for taxpayer dollars.

Chairman Hines told the chamber he had confirmed with counsel and the county attorney that "in order to sell county property, it requires 14 votes, but to purchase property, it only requires 11," a point cited by multiple legislators as they weighed approval.

County Executive staff supplied letters of support, the chair said, from organizations including Orange County Community College, the Chamber of Commerce, tourism and construction trades. Legislator Fazione clarified during debate that management of the facility "is gonna be managed by parks, not tourism." Several legislators asked staff to return with a detailed operational plan covering projected renovation costs, maintenance responsibilities and staffing before the county begins long-term programming.

Virginia Scott, councilwoman for the town of Cornwall, spoke during the public comment period and asked the county to consider access for seniors and veterans if the county pursues programming at Sugarloaf, noting transportation challenges for those groups.

The resolution was presented by Legislators Ehlers and O'Donnell and carried by a roll-call vote reported as 21 ayes, 0 nays, 0 abstentions. The purchase price and specific future capital estimates were not specified in the legislative record during the July 1 debate.

Legislators who supported the acquisition said the center could boost tourism and cultural programming countywide if accompanied by a practical operations plan; detractors or cautious supporters asked for detailed cost estimates and clear assignment of staffing and maintenance responsibilities before further commitments are made.

Votes at the meeting indicated broad support for the acquisition but also a request from multiple members that county staff return with a concrete plan for operating and capital costs beyond the initial transition period.

The county will proceed toward closing; legislators asked that staff provide a detailed timeline and a budget estimate for renovations, staffing and annual operations in a future report to the Legislature.