Carlisle Theatre board reports new roof, fundraising and a plan for façade restoration
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Summary
The theatre board reported a donated $102,000 roofing-materials contribution, more than $1.1 million in fundraising to date, a $1.26 million RACP grant award that requires a dollar-for-dollar match, and a prioritized plan to restore the High Street façade, replace aged HVAC, and update fire-detection systems.
Rick Rubino, a former county commissioner and current school director who serves as building committee chair for the Carlisle Theatre, told council members the board has completed a new white roof on the theatre and publicly acknowledged a materials donation from Carlisle Construction Materials valued at $102,000. Rubino said the white membrane roof will reduce heat gain and lower long-term heating/cooling costs for the building.
Rubino outlined three priority projects the board intends to complete: restoration of the High Street façade, replacement of aged rooftop HVAC equipment, and installation of a modern, integrated smoke and fire-alarm detection system (he said the existing system is nearly 40 years old). He said the board is working with SGS Architects and Stone House Group as project managers and that plans will be presented to the Carlisle Historic and Architectural Review Board when available.
On funding, Rubino said the board has raised "in excess of $1,100,000" and that the RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) grant is $1,260,000, which requires a dollar-for-dollar local match. He added that a recent appraisal valued the building (after the new roof) at $1,620,000, providing some flexibility for matching requirements, but warned that using the building value as match reduces available cash to pay contractors. Rubino said architects should have full cost estimates by March and that the board expects to present funding decisions to the Commonwealth through its RACP manager, GMS Funding Solutions, in April or May.
Rubino also described staging and construction logistics: he said the board would likely use a flown scaffold (anchored to the roof and extended over the High Street façade) and construct a pedestrian platform over the sidewalk to protect passersby and preserve business access during the work. He estimated masonry work would be preferable in warmer months (May–June or autumn) and targeted interior renovations for January–June 2027 to minimize disruption during the theatre's busiest months.
Next steps: The board will finalize cost estimates in March, present plans to the historic review board, and advance RACP application steps in spring. Rubino asked the council to consider any additional borough commitments for the façade once project costs are finalized.