A major capital improvement project more than a year in the works is starting to take shape at Focus on Renewal’s Father Ryan Arts Center in the heart of McKees Rocks.
FOR’s efforts to upgrade the 17-year-old community cultural and arts hub are being made possible by a $500,000 grant, money that the state had available through the COVID-19 ARPA Capital Projects Fund Multipurpose Community Facilities Grant program.
Kevin Platz, FOR’s executive director, said the McKees Rocks-based nonprofit entity found out early last year it would receive the grant but needed to finalize its plans and then borrow funding to start the process. The grant funds will be used to pay back the money FOR borrowed.
Platz said the project is being done in two phases. The first phase, which amounts to about $200,000 worth of upgrades, already is underway.
One of the big aspects of that first phase is the installation of new LED lighting throughout the facility.
Not only will that help better illuminate the facility, it will result in what Platz thinks will be a significant savings when it comes to paying FOR’s electric bills. FOR currently spends about $80,000 per year on electricity.
As an added bonus, Platz said Duquesne Light is offering a rebate program to help offset the cost of the new lighting.
“The LED lighting is really important for the organization,” Platz said. “This will be something that helps across the board, and if it can lower our overall daily costs of operating the facility, that’s a bonus for everyone involved.”
The project also will bring safety and security enhancements in the form of a new, comprehensive camera system, fire sprinkler system upgrades, a new door and improvements to the building’s elevator.
“The security cameras and door haven’t been upgraded in a number of years,” Platz said. “That’s something that needed to get updated to make sure everything is covered 24/7 in and around the (420 Chartiers Ave.) facility.”
The security upgrades were scheduled to be completed late last week and work on the new lighting is anticipated to start within the next couple of weeks.
Platz said all of the first-phase work should be completed within the next month or two.
In addition to all of that work, a number of upgrades either have been done or will be done to the Baverso Theater. Those upgrades include a new internet system, a 4K projector and a new sound system for the 110-seat facility.
Eventually, the goal is to replace the seating, as it hasn’t been upgraded since the building opened in 2008.
Platz said the Gemini Theater Company rents the theater for various productions and other events also are held in the theater. The audio/visual improvements could make the theater a more attractive venue for other entities to rent, and that could bring in some additional income.
FOR has been around since 1969, serving to strengthen families and neighborhoods in McKees Rocks, Stowe and surrounding communities through housing, workforce development, youth programming and community-driven initiatives.
The Arts Center offers classes, workshops, art exhibits and special events in the areas of visual and graphic arts, ceramics, music, dance and culinary arts.
Eventually, Platz said the organization will use Phase 2 funding to improve some of the building’s arts-related equipment, such as new kilns and pottery wheels.
“We’re going to dive into the arts with Phase 2,” Platz said. “We want to bring the Father Ryan Arts Center back to when it started.”
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