Panida Theater seeks SURA help to repair crumbling masonry, add fire suppression and a stage lift

Representatives of the Panida Theater told the Sandpoint Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission on May 12 that the nearly 100-year-old venue needs exterior masonry repairs, fire suppression, and an ADA stage lift to remain safe and accessible.

Heather White, speaking for the theater, said pieces of masonry from the theater’s south and Sand Creek-facing walls have begun falling onto the sidewalk and that deteriorating masonry is creating a pathway for water intrusion that risks the building’s structural fabric. She also told the commission that neither the main nor the smaller theater have fire-suppression systems and that installing them “would protect lives — our audiences, our performers and our staff.” The Panida also seeks a stage lift to make its stage ADA accessible to performers and patrons who use wheelchairs.

The context: the theater is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2027 and previously received a SURA grant of about $450,000 roughly 12–13 years ago, White said, which funded a ceiling restoration and a new roof. At the May 12 meeting she asked the commission for support and for guidance on pursuing SURA or council funding, but she did not provide a specific dollar amount in the presentation.

Commissioners and staff asked for clarifications about the theater’s priorities and past grants. Charlotte, who identified herself as vice chair of the Panida board of directors, urged the commission to advance the project to SURA and City Council, saying, “This is a central point of our community. This is something we should strive to save.” Commissioners and staff noted the distinction between a direct SURA-funded capital expenditure and a SURA grant program that distributes funds to community organizations, and they cautioned that urban-renewal dollars are constrained and typically prioritized for public right-of-way and infrastructure projects in the revenue-allocation area.

No formal funding decision was made at the meeting. Staff advised the commissioners that they may place the item on a future agenda to consider making a recommendation to SURA or to City Council; commissioners discussed possible next steps including requesting a specific, itemized cost estimate from the theater so the commission and SURA can evaluate grant eligibility and fiscal impact.

Why it matters: the Panida anchors Sandpoint’s arts and cultural life; commissioners noted that deferred maintenance on historic landmarks can accelerate loss of irreplaceable architectural fabric and raised concerns about public-safety exposure if masonry or fire-safety shortcomings are not addressed.

What’s next: the commission did not vote to commit funds. Staff and commissioners indicated they will follow up with the Panida to request a specific funding ask and more detailed cost estimates, and the commission can place a recommendation on a future agenda for referral to SURA or City Council.