COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater’s historic Tibbits Opera House, which opened in 1882 originally lit by gas lights, this month began a much-needed upgrade to its electric service.
The work is being done thanks in part to a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and support from donors to the theatre’s ongoing restoration effort.
The gas lights were replaced by electricity several years after the theatre opened. The current main electric box is more than 80 years old and most of the system is more than 60 years old and runs on single-phase power. The electrical system feeds all of the theatrical needs for the theatre.
In 2013, Tibbits achieved a major part of its restoration objective by fully restoring the theatre’s original façade. Tibbits officials say the upgrade of electric to three-phase power is needed in order to meet modern lighting fixture demands. Tthe upgrade is also expected to improve the efficiency of current boilers, air conditioning system, and the elevator.
Jepson Electric, the project contractor, has already installed new panels on the back exterior wall of the building. They are working on bringing service into the building at the basement level. The transition from the old service to the new will be done in steps so as not to interfere with the busy performance schedule.
The project will be completed this spring before Tibbits’ summer theatre season.
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) awarded Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. two grants for the 2019-2020 funding cycle. In addition to the Capital Improvement Grant, the theatre also received an $18,000 Operational Support Grant. The latter includes funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Capital Improvement grant of $70,000 represents nearly half of the total project cost.
