Hear some music, have some fun, and help the Salina Innovation Foundation raise money to replace the Temple roof.
“Raise the Roof” at the Temple benefit concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 15 to raise the funds needed to replace the roof of the historic Temple building. The event features a night of music and dance in the historic theatre of the Temple, 336 South Santa Fe Avenue, with the band Lost Wax, which recently was named best in Kansas City, and performed at the Smoky Hill River Festival in 2019.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and available for sale online at www.salinatemple.com or 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the lobby.
The benefit concert was organized by three women who heard about the Temple’s efforts, and decided to help. Mary Ann Weiner, Teri Novotny, and Judy Beck have donated funds to pay for the band, and have worked to help plan and publicize the event.
The Temple, Salina Innovation Foundation is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to save and preserve the historic Temple building for use as a community resource center.
The roof on this landmark is leaking, and causing damage to the historic interior. The third floor grand theatre contains a collection of more than 100 rare hand painted backdrops from the early 1900s. These backdrops hang directly under the portion of the roof that is ponding. Water is dripping on either side of the backdrops.
“If these drops become wet, they will be damaged and lost for our community. Details of historic plaster molding and oak woodwork are becoming damaged as well,” said Mary Landes, executive director. “It is critical to start at the top, sealing the building so repairs and restoration can begin, and further damage can be stopped.”
The Temple currently is a venue for weddings, banquets, conferences, corporate parties, special community programs, a veterans networking center, a fully equipped co-working space, and has 15 co-working entrepreneurs who operate a variety of businesses, services, and art and music studios.
“This fundraiser ensures that the entirety of the roof can be completed when added to proceeds from the City of Salina, private donors, and an insurance settlement. We are thrilled to have so much interest and support,” said Brad Anderson, Temple board chair.
The Temple was completed in 1927, with John Philips Sousa playing in the historic theatre for the dedication. It served as a USO show location in the 1940s, entertaining thousands of soldiers during WWII. The temple is seven floors, 160,000 square feet with historic marble and oak details from the 1920s. The Temple is on the National Historic Register.