BUCYRUS – The final piece of the long-awaited Schines Art Park project downtown is finally complete.
The Schines Art Park stage, which was actually finished last year, will officially be dedicated Friday at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and ribbon-cutting, then stay for the music and a movie at dusk – a prelude to the big Bicentennial weekend.
“There are many people and businesses to thank for their generosity as we dedicate the Art Park stage, but it all began many years ago,” said Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser, who will talk about the vision and history of the entire Schines Art Park project during the dedication ceremony.
The stage itself, which is supported by concrete pillars, was donated by North Central State College in Mansfield and restored at no charge by Bucyrus Railcar Repair. The city also received a $125,000 state grant for the project, with additional financial support from area businesses and residents.
Reser said the park – named after the former Schines Movie Theatre at 301 South Sandusky Avenue – was the vision of Joe Armbruster and former Bucyrus Mayor Roger Moore, who realized the importance of the downtown business district to the prosperity of Bucyrus and the community.
“The replacement of a burned-out theatre, a building that was beyond repair, with a jewel that we see today is nothing short of amazing and couldn’t have taken place without Mayor Moore and Joe Armbruster’s deep love for the Bucyrus community,” Reser said. “Bucyrus has been blessed by their efforts.”
The old theatre, which sat vacant for years before it was torn down in 2015, eventually paved the way for the park, a green space anchored on the south side with a wall mural by world-famous artist Eric Grohe. The park’s emphasis has always been on the arts and education.
Chamber executive director Jessie Furner, who also sits on the board of the Bucyrus Historical Society, will give a history of the theatre during the stage dedication. United in Harmony will perform the national anthem, with the Rev. Tancye Addison of Good Hope Lutheran Church giving the invocation.
The dedication and ribbon-cutting will also coincide with the Chamber-sponsored First Friday event downtown, which will feature the music of The Rolling Hams. At dusk Friday, the public is invited back to the park for the showing of “Ah, Wilderness!” – the first movie to play at the Shines Theatre. The 1935 film stars Mickey Rooney and was directed by Clarence Brown.
“The Schines Art Park stage is the final sparkle in this downtown gem,” said Kelli Patterson, the city’s administrative assistant, and Bicentennial coordinator. “We are so pleased to finally call this park complete so that the community can once again enjoy this space that was once a place of gathering – the Schines Movie Theatre.”