Community Theater HVAC and Roofing Project

Design Plans and Quotes and Current State of the Theater: (link)

City’s HVAC project will install a new heating and cooling system to open the Community Theater, 810 N. Oregon Street, Yreka, CA. The theater has been a shuttered facility since the failure of the City’s HVAC system in Fall of 2019. The $350,000 project will replace the ductwork, HVAC and electrical in this wonderful performing arts center. The Theater is strategically located adjacent to the City’s Community Center and the Yreka Union High School. The theater has been a gathering place for the performing arts for student events (band, choral and dance), performers sponsored by the community nonprofit groups. The theater is a strategic CalOES community briefing area for displaced fire evacuees. The auditorium seating accommodates 304 people, the theater has a large stage, full theatrical sound and lighting equipment, that support all kinds of events. In the past the theater was open to bookings that include meetings, concerts, speakers, dance, seminars, theater, and communications hub for region. 

How you can help: The City is a qualified tax-exempt organization for donations and contributions. Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at City Hall, 701 Fourth Street, Yreka CA 96097, attention Community Theater HVAC project.

The Community Theater was built in 1976, and the original HVAC and duct work is still in place. The City has worked with its engineers, PACE Engineering of Redding for specifications, and has sought competitive bids on the projects. The City bid the project three times, and received incomplete or no response to its sealed bid process, before selecting Mountain Air Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration, a qualified contractor to replace the system. The engineering plans and repeated bid process has caused delays, in addition post pandemic construction material costs have spiraled.

In 2018, the City obtained a State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation grant, Office of Grants and Local Services “OGALS” of $177,952 for the HVAC project, a grant that is intended strictly for capital outlay. As stated earlier, project delays and escalation in construction costs, has the city seeking gap funding for the project remainder. The present quote for labor and installation is $319,506.26. The City is requesting $50,000 from the McConnell fund to help mitigate the $141,554 project financing gap and is committed to seeing the project to completion. Additionally, the City has received a generous Norris Foundation Grant of $100,000 re-roof the theater complex once the HVAC Trane system has been installed. As a community, the City is working to revitalize these adjoining complexes, primarily the theater as the importance of performing arts is vital to the community's health and vibrancy. Live professional, amateur and student performances, in the performing and theatrical arts have been discussed as why residents love to live and raise their families in Yreka. Once re-opened, the City is and will be working with its partners, the local School, Youth organizations, College of the Siskiyou, Red Scarf Society, Historical Society, Discover Siskiyou (events production), Klamath National Forest to engage speakers, performers, and a myriad of art, historical and cultural events within the Yreka Community Theater.