The Lake Placid Center for the Arts held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Sept. 22. (Provided photo — Charlie Reinertsen)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Center for the Arts held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Sept. 22 to kick off the construction phase of a Capital Project to modernize and expand the 53-year-old Theatre Building.

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An artful gathering

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One hundred guests gathered in front of the Theatre Building to celebrate the milestone, including LPCA Executive Director James Lemons, Managing Director Jon Donk, speakers Katie Steger, director of Capital Projects for the New York State Council on the Arts, state Senator Dan Stec, North Elba town council member Emily Politi, and members of the LPCA Board of Directors, treasurer Cathy Johnston and co-vice president Sarah Galvin.

In true LPCA fashion, the groundbreaking ceremony aimed to entertain and inspire with a performance by local musician Charlie Reinertsen as well as a dedication of the arts center’s garden to Ruth Hart, longtime friend and past president of the LPCA.

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About the renovation

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The Capital Project encompasses a large-scale renovation of the Theatre Building, designed by the architecture firm Marvel Designs. Charcoalblue is serving as the project’s theater consultant and Allegrone Companies is the construction manager.

The renovation will address a myriad of infrastructure challenges that have developed after over 50 years of service to the community. The building’s capacity has been limited by lack of accessibility, crumbling foundations, leaking roofs and outdated mechanical systems — including heating and cooling. The renewed facility will be fully accessible with important structural and technological upgrades that will make for a sustainable community resource that preserves the unique character of the original arts center. Besides a new state-of-the-art theater, the updated building will feature a new art gallery, a dedicated education space, an expanded lobby, revitalized green spaces and improved traffic flow for the parking lots.

The project is on track to re-open a revitalized building by July 2027. During construction, all programs will continue in the Annex Building on the arts center’s campus or in other partner venues in the Tri-Lakes area. The Annex has already begun hosting fall programs and will house a temporary 70-seat stage/screening room, an art gallery and classrooms for dance, painting, drawing, weaving and ceramics workshops.

“The groundbreaking for the renovation of the Theatre Building marks the start of a major transformation for our region,” Stec said. “With this project, the arts center’s status as a hub for culture and creativity will be stronger than ever. I can’t wait to see this project when it’s completed.”

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Brand new again

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Along with the official start of construction, the arts center unveiled a new brand for the organization. Lake Placid Center for the Arts will become Arts Center Lake Placid, demonstrating the center’s dedication to putting the organization’s mission first. As the campus transforms over the coming year and a half, the Arts Center’s brand update will take shape, to be fully displayed throughout the revitalized Theatre Building and grounds by summer of 2027.