Chamber Granted Advance Seating at Huish Performing Arts and Cultural Center

Chamber Leads Group members meet in the restored executive boardroom at the Huish.  Pictured above are (front row, left-right)  Laura Evans, Maurice Evans, Colin Logue, (middle row, left-right) Carolyn Bowman, Sherrie Watson, Zach Voorhees, (back row, left-right) Eric Buchanan, Shaun Martin, and Lou Ballamis.

Payson Chamber Leads Group members, August 16, were given an advance viewing of what is destined to become the Huish Performing Arts and Cultural Center. It is the site of the former Huish Theatre, at 98 West Utah Avenue, and current restoration project overseen by Dr. Gordon Taylor.

Taylor credits the project to his wife, the late Karen Taylor. She convinced him to purchase the building and restore it for cultural purposes, he said, soon after another endeavor with which he was involved—the installation of the outdoor elevator at the Peteetneet Academy and Cultural Arts Center—was finished. The couple funded the purchase with the sale of property they owned.

Taylor noted last week that installation of the final of a three-phase power system had been completed the day before, August 15. Meanwhile, construction still in process throughout most of the building, the Leads Group met with Taylor inside the newly restored executive boardroom. The room's chairs and conference table, noted Taylor, were products of contribution- a donation made by Michelle Fitzwater and family of Payson.

The Fitzwater family's contribution has been one of many. According to Taylor, the the restoration project, along with the theatre's maintenance and management, once up and running, is also a product of community effort. He lists a large group who bring to the table his and her own individual talent.

A board of directors is comprised of Taylor, who serves as president, joined by Brian Hulet as vice-president, Mike Hardy as treasurer, with Lana Sumsion maintaining contacts, and Marva Loy Eggett serving as president's assistant.

Signing on as stage developer and to oversee acoustics is Richard Lindsey, while Glenn Boyle has worked as the project's structural engineer, and Dan Ellsworth is the electrical consultant. Dale Barnett has brought the tools of his trade with heating and air conditioning work. Clark Kay and Craig Zeeman are noted as project contractors. Mez Stewart and Steve Decker have made their contributions as architects, while Dan Ellsworth has dug trenches, Dani Fati laid concrete, and Scott Phillips brought in the heavy equipment.

Lisa Hansen has agreed to take on the task of overseeing children's music, Ruth Ann Christensen over theatrical performance, Chris Jensen the theater, Norene Jensen involved with both theater and music, Joan Landes over music, Michelle Fitzwater involved with children's theater, Jeff Cooper engaged in vocal events, and Steve Twede, the community theater, according to Taylor.

Former Huish Theatre owner, Paul Mower will return to the theatre to oversee films slated to make a return to the screen. “It will be successful again,” Taylor said. “I know it will.”

Payson historian and former Main Street business owner, Cal Reece was among the group treated to a tour of the theatre.  He is pictured here on the southwest corner of the theatre.

Dr. Gordon Taylor discusses the timeline of restoration at the old Huish Theatre to Chamber Leads Group members, who gathered for their August 16 meeting inside the completed executive meeting room upstairs.  Reconstruction continues throughout much of the rest of the old movie theater.

A view from the back of the old Huish Theatre as it appears today, prior to pending restoration.

Hand-written instructions remain on the wall of what was once the projection room at the Huish, years after the Payson movie theater's last picture show.

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