Walhalla Civic Auditorium Roof Fundraiser

The Board of Directors of the Walhalla Civic Auditorium needs the community’s help. Upstate South Carolina’s premier entertainment venue is raising money for roof repairs to its more than 100 year old former school buildings.   Walhalla Civic Auditorium executive director Bill Chisano says repair costs are rising each day. “The original estimates we had were anywhere from $15-20,000 price tag.  Unfortunately, in the final bid process they went underneath the roofing to determine that because the leaks have been going on for any number of years there was some damage to the wood of the actual frame of the roof in the two areas of the auditorium roof that were leaking the most.  So, there is going to be some significant repair work that has to be done underneath the actual roofing.  So, now the estimate is $35,000.” The fundraising campaign has raised $18,000, so it is half way to its goal.  But time is of the essense on the project, adds Chisano.  “The problem with this is that the longer it goes the worse the leaks get and the more damage, so it really needs to and we are trying to address this and looking at different ways to generate some money to help pay for this because it needs to be done sooner than later.  Every time it rains, there is a string of ten buckets along the left hand side of the auditorium where most of the leaks occur that we have to deal with and you know it is just doing more damage to the underside of the frame of the roof and not to mention it has leaks on the top too.  So, it needs to be done sooner than later, so we are looking at different ways to try and find that extra money to get the work done as quickly as possible.”  The roof work will consist of repairs to existing leaks, installing new drains, scrapping off old coating and installing Hydro Stop foundation coating to avoid future leaks. The cost for this work on all four buildings in the Walhalla Civic Auditorium complex is $90,000.  As moneys are received the work will be completed in stages, the first being the Auditorium roof, then the main building, the back building and then the stage roof.  As a nonprofit volunteer based organization, the Walhalla Civic Auditorium has to rely on the generosity of the community for financial support.  To make a donation to the Walhalla Civic Auditorium’s Roof Repair Fund, call 864-638-5277 or visit www.walhallacivic.com.