Demolition at city auditorium unveils history

Published: Monday, September 29, 2014 at 5:59 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, September 29, 2014 at 5:59 p.m.

An acoustic ceiling that was installed in the old city auditorium at Tuscawilla Park in the 1980s is being torn down to expose the original bow trusses.

We want people to see there is movement going on, said Pamela Calero, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra's executive director. Everything has been approved with the city.

The full renovation to convert the historic building into the Reilly Arts Center and home for the orchestra will not begin until $2.3 million of the $2.6 million fundraising goal is met. So far, the symphony has raised a little over $2 million, all from private donations.

Before the construction can begin in earnest, the symphony board must demonstrate to the city of Ocala, which has agreed to give the symphony a 30-year lease on the building, its financial ability to complete the building renovations. The lease for the city-owned building, which was approved in January, is $1 a year.

We can start construction at $2.3 million. That's kind of our golden number to really make things happen, Calero said.

She said the organization is planning to hold private tours of the facility in hopes of generating interest and support.

We are exposing the really historic architecture of the building, which are the bow trusses, which are beautiful, Calero said.

Catherine Zimmer, assistant city manager of public services, said the orchestra board does have to come up with the renovation money and that the city is working with them.

They are hoping to bring people in there as a fundraiser and show them it's started, Zimmer said. They feel that may elevate some of the fundraising they are doing.

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Demolition at city auditorium unveils history