Community Theater coming soon

Coming soon to a theater near you: plays, musical performances, matinees, summer theater, comedy and more and will be  Bonners Ferry’s first official Community Theater for the Performing Arts and will be opening soon in the Community Fellowship Church on Ash Street.

“This is a major step in supporting culture in our community,” said Carolyn Testa, who will own and operate the theater. “This is the beginning of something.”

The idea of a community theater became a reality after the City Council voted in favor of rezoning the block of Ash Street from Highway 95 to Dakota Street commercial. The Planning & Zoning Board’s recommendation to the City Council was a 6-to-1 vote in favor of the rezoning.

Planning & Zoning recommended rezoning the entire block commercial instead of just the church parcel because it followed standard practices of not making islands of different zones, according to Stephen Boorman, city administrator.

Boorman said if the entire block is zoned commercial, city parking restrictions would still apply to anyone seeking commercial use.

City parking restrictions for commercial businesses require a certain number of guaranteed parking spots (number dependent on type of business) within a 600 foot radius of the building.

Testa received approval from Boundary County School District to utilize the Riverside High School parking lot on nights and weekends, as the library and city parking lots were too far away.

“I’m a big fan of community theater. It is a positive addition to the community,” said Councilwoman Connie Wells.

The theater will seat between 100 to 150 people and will be a venue for smaller performances, such as summer theater, chorus performances, readings, open mic nights, independent films, children’s matinees and local plays. The theater will also be available for functions, such as weddings.