Downtown Edna is buzzing with excitement this week as the historic Edna Theatre reaches another big milestone in its rehabilitation journey.
On Monday morning, multiple 18-wheelers from Peak Roofing rolled into town, loaded with materials to begin construction on the Theatre’s brand-new roof.
“This is such a turning point for us,” said Shelley Srp, President of the Texana Arts Council. “After 3 years of planning and preparation, seeing those trucks pull up felt like real proof that the Theatre is coming back to life.”
The roofing project will remove the old roof and much of the lightweight concrete and metal decking, replacing it with new decking, insulation, and a durable TPO roof. It’s an essential step toward protecting and preserving the Theatre for generations to come.
The new roof is the latest achievement in Phase One of the restoration, which has already brought major improvements, including: Installation of new interior roof drains, replacement of two deteriorated steel beams on the southwest wall, rust remediation on the remaining beams and columns, masonry reconstruction of a compromised wall, and the complete restoration and relighting of the Theatre’s historic neon marquee.
The relighting ceremony to take place on Saturday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m.
“All of this work has been carefully overseen by our structural engineer, architect, and the Texas Historical Commission to make sure it’s done right,” Jake Srp noted.
The Texana Arts Council emphasized that none of this would have been possible without the generosity of several key foundations whose belief in the project has made Phase One a reality. Special thanks were extended to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, The Meadows Foundation, the K.R.; Laura Miller Foundation, and the Building Bridge Foundation for providing critical funding at this stage of the Theatre’s restoration.
“These foundations gave us the momentum we needed,” Will Larkin (TAC Treasurer) shared. “Their investment has allowed us to make visible, lasting progress.”
With Phase One nearing completion, the project is shifting gears into its next stage: raising funds to complete the Mechanical, Engineering, and Interior Plumbing (MEP) plans.
While this part of the process may not look as exciting as a glowing marquee or a brand-new roof, the council says it is absolutely essential.
“MEP isn’t the kind of work you can point to and see right away, but it’s the backbone of everything that comes next,” Srp explained. “It gives us the roadmap for costs and allows us to strategically phase the restoration of the interior. Without it, we can’t move forward.”
The Edna Theatre has stood for decades as a centerpiece of downtown, and thanks to the support of these foundations, it’s on its way back.
“Phase One of the rehabilitation has been about stabilizing the building and laying the foundation for the future,” Srp said. “Because of this support, we can now dream bigger. We can’t wait for the day the Theatre is once again filled with life, laughter, and the arts.”
