Brrrr…… What a winter this has been!  Easy for me to say, all snug inside our warm theatre as these dedicated construction workers with their heavy winter garb and thermoses of hot coffee work away.  They are now using blow torches to enable them to keep working on the slippery, snow covered steel.  The commitment in completing this new addition for the Mansfield community is apparent not only by the companies involved in the construction, but evidenced by those doing the work in the -15 degree weather. It is refreshing to see some positive activity amidst the economic stagnation pervasive in so much of our economy.    It also is an amazing thing to witness, how this team works so closely together and “overcomes” the issues of cold, snow and ice.  Shining examples of this would be, one of the contractors offered additional heaters in order for a portion of the project to get completed. The concept of banding together for the common good is apparent in the construction operations here!  The west section of the basement has been heated, and is ready to prep and grade for concrete although masonry is on hold due to the continued low temperatures.  But, progress is being made on the steel in this structure, primarily the roof, beams, joists and decking.  We now have steel floors! You can truly see the form of the building shaping up.  If you close your eyes and drift off, it is easy to envision folks entering the new entrance and gazing up in awe at the open elegance of floor to ceiling windows, walkways in mid-air gliding over a brilliant, spacious lobby space.  Just thinking about it is warming!  I heard the ground-hog saw his shadow.  Sigh…. Six more weeks of winter!    

Dedicated workers in rain, shine, snow, mud.......

Mud Wrestling Anyone?

Wow…. The scene from my perch up here on the second floor reflects some amazing progress by the hard-hatted group responsible for the construction work on the Ren’s new addition. And, the exciting news is the very kind construction foreman, has instructed the crew to leave a peep-hole in the brick wall so that we can keep abreast of the progress, step by step.   So, here I am standing at the window, looking out into a giant swimming pool of mud and water and being grateful for my room with a view. These dedicated workers keep tromping through all that muck, as they diligently pound, dig, and connect away and don’t even look grumpy!    While the landscape is pretty stark looking at it from the street;  to one who has been watching the evolution from above, major changes have taken place in the past few weeks or so.  The steel is all in place.  A person with even a modicum of vision, can now picture the open atrium ambience of the lobby and surrounding space.  It has been a balancing act working with the masonry contractors in this unseasonably early winter cold weather. But the boys have done a great job in making cement when the sun shines!    You can see the definition of the floors and even the beginnings of floor joists falling into place.  The underground sanitary work is almost completed and will be finalized after the floor is poured. OF course, this sanitary work is especially vital because (listen to this ladies!) we will have more restroom facilities in this new addition!

The word is, this crew will continue their efforts through the holidays and even during the week the  Ren is closed between Christmas and New Years.  So, who knows what transformations will have taken place when I return in January of 2009!  It is easy to get excited when thinking about what we will be privileged to enjoy next year at this time.  But, in the meantime, all of us here at the Renaissance are just very grateful and blessed to be able to be a part of and enjoy the process of the Renaissance of “The Renaissance”.  Without the support of our very generous donors and this community, this dream would not be possible.  Happy Holidays to All!  More to follow in 2009!

Fortunately, I will be able to continue my voyeurism from the supply closet for several more months as there is a windowed doorway as well, in the main hallway which affords a view.  I peered out yesterday, and practically leapt out of my skin to see through the glass, inches from my own face, a worker placing blocks and cementing them with concrete.  It was quite timely actually as the entertainment here at the Ren was a Pink Floyd Tribute to “The Wall”.  So…… All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall!   Stay tuned!   The days ahead promise some big changes in the appearance of this exciting renovation!  

Digging the Hole....

A swimming pool for the Renaissance, perhaps?

These are exciting days in the life of the Renaissance and the Mansfield community. It is energizing to envision the new addition and what it will do for our beautiful historic theatre as well as patrons, and visitors to the Ren. This season has been one of the Ren’s finest, specifically from a programming standpoint. Can you imagine what lies ahead with the new space! The old building was demolished on June 28th and since that date, we have anxiously anticipated the first giant shovelful of dirt, beginning the excavation process. That began on September 10, 2008. The gaping hole in the earth that remained after demolition, still is a gaping hole, but the site has been replaced with heavy equipment, workers moving the earth, installing underground electrical and telephone lines and reinforcing safety with fencing and barricades. To ensure everyone’s protection at currently scheduled events, the Renaissance has taken extra precautions to cordon off certain exits in the theatre. Contractors are working closely with scheduling staff at the Ren to accommodate while ensuring security of our valued subscribers, guests, and staff. Movements in and out of the Renaissance are carefully orchestrated so that the show does indeed go on!

The supply closet on the second floor provides me with the best site observation in the house! Looking directly down, I am able to catch a view of the changes as they are evolving.

Keep your fingers crossed that this unseasonably warm weather continues and we can enjoy rapid progress before the snow flies! Stay tuned for bi-weekly updates of the Renaissance Construction Project!

This new section of our website will keep you updated with what’s happening with the Imagine project!  We’ll update it a couple of times a week, and you can also register and ask questions.  Enjoy!