VENICE, Fla. — There is great news for the ongoing efforts to repair the Venice Theatre after damage from Hurricane Ian nearly two years ago.
A Venice couple has donated $1 million to help with the project — and now, the theater's technical arts center is being named after them.
City Council Vice Mayor Jim Boldt and his wife, Donna, will have their name on the building after signing an agreement with the theater's leaders in the presence of around a dozen volunteers.
"This was not our idea. This was the idea of theater to put our name on this building," Jim Boldt said.
"We wanted to leave some legacy. I mean we started out thinking about putting a bench on Venice Avenue but that's one good enough a little bit further," he added.
Built in 1927, the main auditorium was destroyed by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022.
"We've been coming to shows here for years and years. The heartbreaking thing was Hurricane Ian. We started to see pictures of what happened to the theater and it just sort of tugged on us," Boldt said.
The funds will go towards recovery and restoration efforts on the three-building campus.
"We still, as I like to say, have a big hole in the wall," Kristofer Geddie, executive director of the Venice Theatre, said.
According to theater leaders, the money will also help to offset parts of the $14 million cost of repairs before shows can return to the Jervey Stage.
"The community is giving us gifts and their treasure of money and treasure of time because the Venice Theatre has the largest volunteer force for a community theater in this country," Geddie said.
Construction is well underway at the theater after recent demolition operations concluded. Work is also about to commence on the foundation of the building.
"You get to see the building start to go vertical which is exciting for all of us. As we say, we are like a phoenix rising from the ashes, but literally, we cannot wait to see this building rise," the executive director added.
According to the Boldts, the renamed Boldt Technical Arts Center is now a clarion call to others far and wide to also chip in.
"Every little bit counts and that's the legacy. That people can say, you know, I helped to bring the theater back," Donna Boldt said.
"It's such an honor, an honor. We are honored, truly," Jim Boldt added.
To learn more about fundraising efforts and how to donate, you can visit the theater's fundraising website.
People or groups interested in learning how to name a space at the theater can contact Director of Advancement Camille Cline at 941.867.8607 or camille@venicetheatre.net.