HIT studies mission

IRONWOOD - The Historic Ironwood Theatre hosted a strategic planning session on Thursday to define the theater's place in the community and shape its future.

Amy Quinn, president and CEO of Grow and Lead, said she understands the HIT has undergone a transition in the last few years.

"The theater has a new board that is really moving forward and they want a plan so they can all be in alignment," said Quinn, a consultant for non-profits across the U.P.

One goal of the work session was to find out what the theater means to the people who are closest to the organization.

Quinn said narrowing down the definition of "who" the theater is allows for an "anchor" point to begin conversations and help guide its future.

Quinn said the HIT board opened up this meeting to the public because they are looking for input on the direction the community wants to see the theater to go.

"The community owns the theater and the board members want to hear what community members have to say," she said.

Quinn said she was impressed by the transparency of the theater's financial records and the willingness of the board to implement a strategic plan.

"They had the best reports I have ever seen from a non-profit," she said.

During the meeting topics discussed ranged from creating a one sentence mission statement to broadening up the type of acts which can be performed.

Zona Wick, president of the theater board, said the workshop has been informational and wants to continue being transparent.

"The theater belongs to the community," she said. "The community needs to know what's going on financially with the theater."

She said she does not think the theater needs to "change course," but she wants to include the community in any decisions moving forward.

"I want to see this theater sustained," Wick said, "They managed to sustain it for 90 years, but its had some tough times."

According to the HIT's website, the theater was built in 1928 as a vaudeville and silent movie palace, becoming the center of entertainment in Ironwood during Hollywood's golden age of the 30s through the 50s.

The Theater was sold in the early 60s and operated as a "first run movie house" until its closure in 1982.

The owner of the theater gave the building to the city through the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority.

A preservation committee was established and the theater was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.