CREEDE— The Creede Repertory Theatre is closing out the 53rd season and with that also preparing to make some upgrades to the theatre itself.

In a meeting held on Sept. 4, the Creede Board of Trustees agreed to be fiscal sponsors for a grant that will help pay for lighting around the theatre to be replaced with LED lights.

CRT Director John DiAntonio was present during the meeting to answer questions about the project and thanked the board for their continued support. The theatre has requested a grant for $40,000 through the Department of Local Affairs to help with the cost associated with upgrading the lighting around the outside of the theatre and asked that the town be the fiscal agents for the grant.

“The grant was successful for $40,000 and the theatre has made their match of $30,000 with an additional $20,000 from private donations. This is for a Rural Economic Development Initiative grant through DOLA. We would be serving as the fiscal sponsor and would execute funding as soon as it becomes available. They need to move forward with work as soon as possible because of the timeline of the grant. Work has to be completed by Dec. 31, 2019,” explained City Clerk Randi Snead.

Snead suggested that the board appoint DiAntonio as the project manager and stated that she is comfortable being the responsible administrator for the grant due to the fact that she helped write the grant application. Board members agreed and made a motion to appoint DiAntonio as the project manager.

“Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it, it’s very exciting. As soon as the season slows down, we have about two more weeks, then we will jump right in,” stated DiAntonio.