Living Well 60+ May-June 2014

Renovating The Kentucky
by Charles Sebastian, Staff Writer
As a native Lexingtonian, the
Kentucky Theatre has been part of
my mythology and history since
childhood. For so many people in
Lexington, the Kentucky’s presence
was and is a beacon of intellectual
hope – an oasis in what can often
feel like a cultural desert. I can
remember as a kid seeing Gone with
the Wind and the dazzling spectacle
Blade Runner in the Kentucky’s ornate,
cavernous auditorium. I’m sure
many of you have similar, poignant
and nostalgic stories.
The Kentucky has been at its Main
Street location since 1922, outdistancing
its early rivals, The Strand
and The Ben Ali. Fred Mills, the
general manager of the Kentucky,
has been affiliated with this landmark
since 1963. A massive renovation
is happening at the theater.
MAY/JUNE 2 0 1 4
Iconic Lexington theater gets a makeover
“It’s been needed for awhile,” he
said. “When people are bringing
their own cushions, it’s time to
renovate.”
The Lexington-Fayette Urban
County Government has owned the
Kentucky’s building since 1992, so
an appeal was made to the LFUCG
for the money required for the
renovation. The Friends of the Kentucky
Theatre was formed to raise
the funds, initially projected at $1
million. The committee consisted
of chairperson Isabel Yates; co-chair
Steve Grossman; Bill Fortune, who
managed the finances; and project
manager Harold Tate. The Grand
Reopening will be Wednesday, May
21.
Though The Kentucky has two
auditoriums, the main auditorium
is getting the lion’s share of the
overhaul. “We’re going green,” Mills
said. “We have a completely new
lighting system. The iconic dome
in the ceiling has been refurbished,
the chandeliers revamped and the
highly recognizable marquee is being
updated as well.”
Perhaps the most important renovation,
however, is rigging both auditoriums
for digital projection. Being
able to make the leap to digital has
been a make-or-break situation for
many theaters in the last five years,
Mills said.
“We’re also installing the newest
technology, called the Hearing
Loop, which is a sound system
embedded in the floor,” Mills said.
“This greatly enhances the sound,
which is optimum for those hearingimpaired
patrons.” Touches like
these ensure the longevity of the
Kentucky and its ability to provide
high-quality cinema.
“The Kentucky Theatre is such a
large part of our lives here,” Mills
said. “We get stories all the time
of first dates and childhood movie
memories. One man told me he
1 5
was in the theater at the outbreak
of World War II. When he walked
outside there were newsboys hawking
papers that declared the start of
the war.”
Donations for the renovation can
be made to The Friends of the Kentucky
Theatre, 499 East High Street,
Lexington, KY 40507, or by calling
Mills at (859) 231-7924. More
information can be found at www.
kentuckytheater.com, and questions
can be directed to fredkentucky@
alltel.net.
The Kentucky
Theatre is
such a large
part of our
lives here.”
– Fred Mills,
general manager
Living here has its advantages.
“Thanks to The Willows at Hamburg, my son, Lowell, and I are able to
remain under one roof. I can maintain an independent lifestyle, while
my son receives the care he needs. This is the nicest place we have
ever lived in. It has been a joy, and I have not one negative thing to
say. Only loving, caring people are found here. I prayed and prayed
for Lowell and I to find a place where we could both live together, and
the good Lord brought us here.”
Liz and Lowell Pennington
Residents of The Willows at Hamburg
Come and see how good life can be at The Willows at Hamburg
– stop by or call to schedule a personal tour.
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