By James Massara
A new park now is open in the downtown Bucyrus business district after a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday.
Before the beginning of the final Bucyrus first Friday, Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser, Ohio Rep. Wes Goodman and others were present to welcome local residents to the new Schines Art Park at the corner of South Sandusky Avenue and Warren Street.
The park sits in the previous lot of the Schines Theater.
Local resident Joe Armbruster said the original project created in 2000 had nothing to do with a park, but was to renovate the theater.
“After we got the deed, we wanted to renovate the theater,” Armbruster said. “But after so long we didn’t have the money, and it was agreed it had to come down. It was so well built that it was a shame to have it come down.”
Armbruster said once it was decided that the theater would be demolished, it was desired to replace it with something to better the community. Due to the concept of the theater previously providing the arts to the community, an art park was decided to be constructed.
The park will feature one of the two projectors previously used in the movie theater. The projector was renovated and covered with a coating to protect it from rust. Armbruster said the approximately 500-pound projector will be used to show movies during future summers on the wall at the park.
A second projector from the theater was donated to the local historical society.
Armbruster said he hopes money can be raised in the future to place a stage in the park for local schools and groups to perform for the public.
An official grand opening will occur at a later date when the wall at the park is finished being covered in artwork.
@JamesMassaraCCN