CROWN POINT | Area construction and trades companies are invited to a free lunch at noon Tuesday at Lucrezia's restaurant, 305 S. Main St., to hear about plans by Indiana Ballet Theatre Northwest boardto renovate the historic former nurses' home.

The building at 2323 N. Main St. was donated to the organization by the Lake County Commissioners 10 years ago for use as a Classical Arts Centre. Gloria Tuohy,Indiana Ballet Theatre founder, said she has tenants for almost all of the 20,000 square feet of space, if building renovations can be completed before the commissioners' July 2016 deadline.

Originally a dormitory for the nurses who cared for patients at the adjacent tuberculosis hospital, the building sat vacant for 40 years prior to the commissioners' giving it to the theatre group. It had fallen into disrepair, but the group has gotten a new roof and 122 new windows, removed the asbestos and replaced the front door. The building now is being tuckpointed. It also succeeded in getting it registered as a historic building.

"We've got a lot of prospective possibilities, but we don't know the best way to go," Tuohy said. "I have people calling up now and asking how they can help. We are in the process of interviewing people who will rent space, and we've got it almost totally filled."

The Indiana Ballet Theatre will occupy the second floor, and among those waiting for space to be ready are South Shore Arts and Plum Grove Strings. The first floor will have a black box theater, which is a small performing area with no curtains, and a dining area, which Tuohy said would either be a health food eatery or a carvery.

A tea room, rose gardens, a playground and a sculpture on the front lawn are part of the plans if the project can get some support from the construction and trades groups, she said. She said the roofer and the tuckpointer each provided a large in-kind contribution for their work, and the architect did all the plans for free.

Tuesday'sAll About Construction Luncheon will explain the project and what the theater group hopes will be similar help for remaining work.

"We will give them lots of exposure," she said. "We are not asking them to do it for free but to bid in a way that they can give back to the community."

Those interested in attending or helping can contact Tuohy at (219) 263-8041 or Lourdes Castellanos of Creative Solutions at (219) 678-8255.

Read more here:
Builders, trades asked to help arts center project

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