![](../images/020915PICS/248%20movers_small.jpg)
Larry Hodges and
Cory Hull haul narrow seats earmarked for removal in the
Arlee Theater’s seat renovation project. |
Successful S.O.S.
fundraiser means new and renovated seats are on their
way at the Arlee
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[February 09, 2015]
MASON
CITY - Following its recent showing of “Paddington,” the
Arlee Theater closed its doors for long-awaited seat
renovations. A Grand Reopening is anticipated in early
March. The project is being paid for by donations and
money raised at various Save Our Seats fund-raisers over
the past seven months. The estimated cost is $20,000,
and thanks to the great community support most of it has
been raised.
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“Ever since we bought the Arlee Theater 12 years ago, we have
wanted to address our dilapidated seats,” said Gaye Maxson, who
owns the nonprofit theater with her husband, John. “Over the
past 18 months, the community has really rallied to help us keep
this local treasure open. People have donated their time,
talents and financial resources to help us buy a digital
projector and now repair the worn-out seats.”
To prepare to ship out 300 seats by this Friday, Arlee
volunteers have been gradually taking apart and removing seats
since Christmas. After the stage area behind the movie screen
was filled with seats, they began piling up in front of the
stage and in every other available space in the
nearly-80-year-old theater.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Feb/09/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png)
“We still had over 150 seats available for patrons at our last
movie,” said John Maxson. “Our customers haven’t minded the
disarray, and are looking forward to the wider seats and extra
leg room.”
“Hull Trucking has been very helpful making arrangements to ship
the seats to Cy Young Industries near Kansas City,” he said.
At Cy Young, the Arlee seats will be fitted with new padding and
reupholstered, and returned along with 50 wider vintage seats
similar to the Arlee’s. The wider seats will be installed in the
center back of the auditorium.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Feb/09/images/ads/current/cca_lda_062014.png) “When we started dismantling the seats, we discovered
several wood backs had initials carved in them,” Maxson said. “We
imagine many go back to the Arlee’s early years.”
These newly discovered mementos will remain for posterity, but the
seats will not be reinstalled in their original locations, so if you
look for your initials, it will be a treasure hunt.
The Arlee originally had 499 seats. When Don Keith converted the
cinema into Nashville Sound Country Opry, about 50 seats were
removed to create a dance floor near the stage. With the latest
project, another 100 seats are being eliminated to allow for greater
comfort of patrons. The wood arm rests and seat backs, as well as
the painted cast iron Art Deco standards, are being preserved to
retain much of the original appearance.
[Gaye Maxson, Arlee Theater, Mason
City]
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Feb/09/images/ads/current/Hallies_sda_010615.png) |