Restoration of former Lakeside Inn taken on by theatre group
by Richard Lamb–Advance Editor
Renovations continue on the building formerly known as Cash’s Lakeside Inn on the corner of Third and State streets in Rogers City. After being vacant for decades, the building was sold to Karl W. and Mary Ann Heidemann who had a vision for the future for the former hot spot from 70 years ago.
Late last March, the Heidemanns sold the property to the Rogers City Community Theatre (RCCT), the organization responsible for staging scores of plays nearly exclusively at the Rogers Theater for more than 20 years. Along with a few volunteers, the Heidemanns continue to work on the building, under the direction of the RCCT board.
The Heidemanns previously purchased the Rogers Theater in 2003 from Richard Vogelheim, adding a stage that made possible all the plays enjoyed by many over the years. In 2016 the Heidemanns donated the Rogers Theater to the Presque Isle District Library (PIDL) who rented out space to RCCT. An upstairs area in the theater stores racks of costumes, board notes, photos and props and other areas are used to store set materials.
“The Rogers Theater has been RCCT’s home for years and it has maintained use of the theater as tenants with the PIDL as the landlord. Unfortunately, our footprint at the theater has diminished while this local historical landmark building receives upgrades and restorations,” said RCCT board president Jeff Janowiec.
There are no plans to stop performances at the Rogers Theater, but the new building opens up more possibilities.
“In the new building that we purchased from Karl W. Heidemann, we do anticipate this to be a really great workshop, a really great opportunity for us to do rehearsals and prop building. This frees us up a lot to be able to accomplish that,” Janowiec said.
The new building has many possibilities, but much work and money is needed to make those dreams a reality. For now, Janowiec said plans are to use the space for storage and construction of sets, props and costumes, but the building’s space could allow more.
Plans have been approved by the RCCT board of directors to move forward with fundraising efforts to eventually construct a stage where the previous 50-foot bar stood, a ticket booth, concessions area, dressing rooms, rest rooms and seating for approximately 90 patrons.
But those plans are off in the future, as there are no plans to abandon the great venue of producing plays at the historic Rogers Theater.
“That building will be a real treasure for the community,” Karl Heidemann said. “I am very excited to have Jeff as board president and there is a good board and things are looking very good.”
Janowiec said approximately $800,000 is needed to make the new building, that is yet unnamed, safe and transform it into a state-of-the-art center for the arts. The immediate focus will be on fundraising efforts to make the dream a reality. The building is a solid structure, but needs many things such as heating and plumbing and interior work.
The RCCT recently gained a $20,000 donation from the estate of the late Cindy Vezinau and much more is needed to keep the plans alive. More details on how to volunteer or contribute to the cause can be had at RCCTheatre.org.
