The Mystery Beneath the Veil

Although the dark green shade-cloth looks the same, swelling and flapping over the scaffolding in front of the Casino Star Theatre day after day, great changes are underway—underneath.  If you ask about the grand “unveiling,” you’re likely to hear, “Maybe Labor Day.”

But this long, contorted journey toward a beautifully restored façade will finally achieve a major milestone THIS YEAR.  Hidden from view, the decorative trim around the windows and the crumbly old stucco have been removed.   The trim is being reconditioned, with some pieces replicated to fill in the missing parts.  The old stucco has found its final resting place in the South Sanpete landfill, along with the rusty metal lath from the 1950s that had barely held it in place.

For the first time in its 98-year-old history, the Casino Star has a double layer of waterproofing, as well as the building’s very first metal flashing.  The original building had no water deflectors to prevent rain from entering every crack and crevice, then to freeze and thaw and leak behind the stucco to rust the metal, swell the wood, and pop chunks of stucco away from the deteriorating substructure.  Now, it’s well protected against the elements.

So far, two coats of new stucco have been applied.  The third and final coat is waiting for additional metalwork and the re-hanging of the window trim and arch rosettes.  Stay tuned for a big celebration around Labor Day.

As a pilot project for the newly funded Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, the Casino Star received $25,000 through the National Park System on July 8.  The Utah State Historic Preservation Office awarded an additional Supplemental grant and provided encouragement for a new application for 2010 funds, and other applications are “out there.”

These grants need to be matched dollar for dollar by non-federal funds.  Your frequent attendance at movies and concerts supports the restoration, and, as the Casino Star Theatre Foundation is an IRS recognized non-profit foundation, any additional donations are tax deductible.  You can donate on-line at www.casinostartheatre.com, in person to Diana Spencer or Lori Nay, at the Gunnison Valley Bank, or at the theatre during showtime.