Windsor Theatre - Hampton, Iowa
What is your town’s population?
Hampton is 4,429, Franklin County (our market area) 10,548.
How often do you show movies?
T,W,Th,F, S at 7pm, Sun 1pm & 7pm, M closed
What do you charge for admission?
Regular: $4 adults, $3 youth (16 & under); $2 for all on T&Th; over age 50 $2 on Sunday
How many seats in your theatre?
300
How is your theatre staffed? Volunteers and/or paid manager?
All paid; volunteer ticket takers.
How long did it take to complete?
Jan 1 to Memorial day was renovation
Is the facility used for other purposes or rented out?
Yes, we have monthly Hoe Down on first Monday night of month; a monthly Sing Along on second Sunday of month; Franklin County Arts Council has two plays and another event each year; we rent out to local groups such as Extention for meetings; we work closely with Chamber on Christmas promotion--movies, drawings, etc.; we also rent out to individuals for privat birthday parties.
Your best advice for us?
Go for it.
Can you get me information on how the Windsor was restored? Everything from how it got started that the building would be restored, to who was involved, to exactly what entities provided funding and how much the total cost was?
I have provided a summarized timeline of the Windsor restoration. The project came out of a youth leadership class at the high school. Youth identified one need in the community was they wanted a movie theatre. The theatre had closed in 1996, but the building was still there, in good structural shape, but in need of updating. A group of us community “leaders” got together and decided to go for it. We organized. We put together a marketing program, put together a team of people representing a cross section of the community, got the major groups on board (Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Hampton, Franklin County Development, Churches, Schools, City of Hampton,. Businesses (banks, retail, industries, etc.) Service Clubs, Scouts, Mother’s Clubs, 4H, and anyone else. We had very supportive media (local newspaper and local radio station). Some groups were more active and giving than others, but we wanted as many people and groups informed as to what we were doing as well as informed as to how much money we needed (and, of course, we asked for donations).
We broke down our project into three phases. The first phase was purchase and getting the theatre open. Some things could wait until after we opened, like new seats. To do so we had to identify everything and put a cost to it, so we knew how much we needed to raise and when.
Regarding funding. We developed a list of prospective donors. Our fundraising committee divided up the list and we made appoints, presented our plan, and asked for money. Many of our lead donations came from businesses, such as banks. Many individuals and families were generous. The service clubs all pledged money. Many other clubs made donations. We did promote making a pledge over a five year period. We also applied for grants. Winnebago/Hanson Foundation gave us some money. Muse Norris Foundation out of Mason City has been very generous.
In summary, we assembled a group of volunteers committed to the project; we made a list of things to do; compiled a list of people and groups that could help us get the job done (either support and/or money); and we went to work fundraising.
Initially we raised $115,000 to purchase the building and put in $138,000 in renovations. The theatre reopened in May of 1999. Later the outside brick walls were tuck-pointed in the spring of 2000 utilizing $75,000 of Tax Increment Financing contributed by the City of Hampton. The cost to rebuild the marquee and corner sign (completed in October 2000) was $50,000, $35,000 coming from the Muse-Norris Foundation (funded by the founder of the Mason City Globe Gazette), $15,000 from a RACI grant form the Iowa Department of Economic Development, and a $500 grant from the Winnebago Foundation. In December 2002 seats which had been installed in the 1970’s from Wartburg College were removed. A “Buy a Seat” campaign financed the installation of 249 new seats with cup holders at a cost of $35,000. We pre-sold seats at one for $100, two for $150. We did not name or assign an actual seat to each donor, but used it as a way to sell the seats. It also gave a “reasonable” amount that people could write a check out for. When we started that campaign, we first went back to the donors who contributed before.
Also – what is the current operational structure? Is it run by the non-profit board or are there hired employees and if so how many and what are the duties?
The non-profit Windsor Theatre Development Corporation was incorporated under Chapter 504A of the Code of Iowa. We are also a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation as designated by the Federal Government. A nine-member board of directors meets monthly to determine policy and oversee the day-to-day operations.
The decision was made to employ paid staff. Some communities that have done this same type of renovation project have gone with volunteers (Belmond, for example). We decided to pay so that we would provide employment opportunity to people, especially students. We have at least one movie every night (two on Friday and Saturday evening), as well as a Sunday afternoon matinee. I am the part-time manager. I work approximately 10 hours per week. My assistant manager, Dan, works approx. 30 hours per week. Whereas, I do all the book work and write the checks, my assistant manager does the ordering of concessions, builds the film, does the weekly confirmation of the booking and PR emails to media, scheduling, and maintenance. We have three projectionists on the schedule that are considered night managers. We have six concession workers also available that are scheduled the various times. Dan and I are also projectionists, as needed. I am also able to do all the operational jobs Dan does. We have also trained two of the projectionists to build and breakdown the film. All projectionist are also concession workers. I believe in cross-training to that if someone is gone, there is someone to take their place. Dan, I and one projectionist and four concession workers each have full-time day jobs. One projectionist is a full-time college student with one other part-time job; there are three concession workers that are high school students or a college student. Many of the ones with full-time jobs work once a week or sub when the regular part-timers can’t make it.
We do have volunteer ticket takers. We have a sign-up calendar that people commit to a movie. What it has evolved into is that we have the same people signing up for a night during the week. For example, Elaine Wilcox (who is now also on our board) and her husband come every Tuesday night to take tickets. We give the volunteer a free pass to use when they want. We allow no more than two volunteers per movie. One to take money and one to pull the ticket. We are not computerized at the ticket booth.
I do have a computer in the office that I use. I set up the accounting system using QuickBooks. I also have Microsoft Word and Excel. There are various reports and statistics I track, but I will not go into that here. We now have five years of history under our accounting belt. I will attach a copy of our 2005 annual report which provides attendance as well as income and expense figures and percentages.
Specifically, did the City of Hampton participate in any funding or grant matches for other grants, etc.?
Yes and No...The City of Hampton did not participate in any funding, other than Tax Increment Financing. As a non-profit corporation, we did have the option to not pay property tax. We decided to pay tax in order to use TIF, but to also be able to say we are contributing something back to the community. The value of the building in 1999 was $90,000. After renovations, it is now valued at $194,000. The Windsor paid $3,756 in property taxes in 1999. We now pay $9,474 per year. That is quite a chunk of change! I say we definitely give something back!
Please note, and I am sure you know this, that TIF funding is repaid thru the increase in property taxes. While the city gives us the money upfront, it is paid back. The City of Hampton did not donate money to the project. The City of Hampton was very supportive, but was not in the financial situation to give us any money.
Just because the City of Hampton did not give us money, doesn’t mean that your city council can’t. The Windsor Theatre has added great “Quality of Life” value to the community. When it comes to economic development and attracting industry, business and new jobs, that is important. It is also nice to have a place for people, especially families and youth to go. A motto I have is “keep kids in the seats and off the streets.”
Windsor Theatre Timeline
May, 1996
Windsor Theatre closes due to lack of attendance, non-upgraded movie selections, poor heating and cooling conditions, and supposed lack of community support. “Up Close and Personnel” is the last movie shown. Factors leading to the decline of Main Street Theatres: Television, shopping malls with numerous movie screens, cable TV, satellite dish, video rental.
November, 1996
A Hampton-Dumont High School class for youth leadership and community development, sponsored by ISU Extension and the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce proposed the idea of reopening the Windsor Theatre. Twenty students and 13 adults met together for two sessions. Through the efforts of he students and their fact finding mission, a group of community leaders was assembled to look at the feasibility of re-opening the theatre.
August 5, 1998
The non-profit Windsor Theatre Development Corporation was incorporated under Chapter 504A of the Code of Iowa. Fundraising begins.
December 1998
The building and inventory was purchased for $115,000 by the Windsor Theatre Development Corporation, a non-profit organization made up of adults and students in the community interested in re- opening the theatre. $138,000 of building improvements are to be added.
May 28, 1999
“Forces of Nature” starring Sandra Bullock, was the first movie shown in the newly remodeled Windsor Theatre. This free show was for those who contributed money and time to the purchase and renovation of the Windsor.
The theatre, which seats 481, now has a new sound system, new platter and projection system, new screen, remodeled lobby and concession area, new handicapped accessible restrooms, new heating and cooling system and new electrical wiring and breaker box.
Regular ticket prices are $2.00 or youth and $3.00 for adults.
Jim Davies is the manager and Ron Schermer is president of the Windsor Theatre Development Corporation Board of Directors.