By Stephen Smoot
Last week’s Harrison County Commission meeting touched in a couple of ways on the present and potential future of arts, culture, and tourism in the Shinnston area.
After the conclusion of some general business came a discussion on the fate of the drive-in movie screen at the former Sunset Ellis property. The former drive-in theater and restaurant property was sold to Harrison County after fire damage forced the closure of the business. It currently serves as a seasonal flea market and potentially also the future animal control center and other possible developments.
Commissioner Patsy Trecost made the motion to demolish the screen, citing its structural weakness and cost of repair. Commissioners voted two to one, Commissioner David Hinkle dissenting. The dissenting Commissioner then made a motion to “consider saving the movie screen at the Sunset Ellis with expanded engineering study done to determine if it is truly possible to save.”
“But don’t we already have that, David,” asked Commissioner Trecost.
“They’ve done a drive by Patsy. No one has actually been in the building,” replied Commissioner Hinkle. By agreement, a resident remains in the apartment contained within the screen structure. He further elaborated that And if we can save it without affecting animal control, I just I’m willing to give it a shot as long as it comes from private funds or public or, grants. I don’t want to use any of the county’s money to rehabilitate it.”
Commissioner Trecost responded by saying “the three of us know that if we go that route, that screen’s going to be there forever.” He added “we do know that it is structurally damaged and it is alongside Route 19 where it could collapse into the road where there’s traffic.”
Commissioner Hinkle asked Commission President Susan Thomas to recommend a timeline to put into the motion to prevent the outcome feared by Commissioner Trecost. She suggested 30 to 60 days. Commissioner Hinkle shared that his deadline was two years, but that he was open to one, explaining that “I just think it needs the opportunity for the community if they wanna come up with the funds to fix it, and I think we give them the opportunity.”
He restated the proposal as a motion “to review the structural condition for this theater screen and to allow for a two-year window for the community and grants to be involved” but pledged “no county funds to save the theater.” Commissioner Hinkle added that if the engineering study “says that it’s totally not feasible to save it at all, then it comes down.”
A similar opportunity not brought forth in the meeting was tried in Pendleton County where a nonprofit arts committee formed to purchase the drive-in theater near Franklin. In the past four years, the Warners’ Drive In and Cultural Resource Center renovated and upgraded the facility, showing a mixture of Hollywood blockbusters, family friendly and animated movies, and special Hallowe’en classics during that season. For this year, they unveiled a new concert and live theater stage to broaden the types of events they offer.
Commissioner Hinkle suggested that the community could find a number of potential creative uses for the screen building, if not for showing films. His motion carried two to one.
The resident will vacate the premises by the end of the month, but permission may be asked for engineers to access the interior prior to that.
Brendan Gallagher, representing the Shinnston Development Authority, came to the County Commission for two funding requests benefiting upcoming city events.
He first requested $1,500 to defer some of the costs of Shinnston’s Independence Day celebration at Ferguson Park, citing a larger-than-expected crowd due to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Next, Gallagher requested the same amount to assist with the Shindy Music Festival, also coming later in the summer. He expressed appreciation for the Commission’s support for the event last year, saying “we really appreciated that and it was a really great event.” Gallagher then explained that the event drew acts “from all over the country and we’re really excited to be able to keep doing this, so we’d like your help to make it even bigger.”
Commissioners without hesitation unanimously supported both requests from Gallagher on behalf of Shinnston.
