After years of searching, the Smith Mountain Lake Center has finally found a home.
The lake organization has signed a contract with The Willard Companies to purchase the Westlake Cinema building with the intention of creating a multipurpose community destination for education, live performance, meetings, celebrations and events while continuing its role as a local theater. The sale is expected to close by Nov. 15, according to news release issued Thursday night.
The purchase will be funded with more than $3 million in gifts and commitments to the Smith Mountain Lake Center during its decadelong pursuit of a location.
Discussions of creating a center at Smith Mountain Lake have been ongoing since the community exploded in popularity as well as population in the early 2000s. The late Don Fink, a longtime Smith Mountain Lake advocate and visionary, was one of the original advocates for a place where residents and visitors could gather to learn, celebrate, connect and enjoy concerts, stage productions and other events, according to the release.
Funding for the center was given a major push in 2015 following the shooting at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta that took the lives of WDBJ journalists Adam Ward and Alison Parker and seriously injured Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce at the time.
At that time, there was a large offering of support for Gardner through donations. She asked those donations instead go into a fund for the creation of a community center.
The SML Center thought it had found a home in 2022 with plans to purchase the former Grand Home Furnishings building in Westlake. That property was later purchased by outdoors retailer Rock Outdoors before the fundraising campaign could be completed.
With a home now under contract, the SML Center is now asking for the community's assistance in raising an additional $750,000 to begin the next phase of the of the initiative, the release said. To assist in fundraising, the organization is recognizing those who gift or pledge $2,500 or more by Nov. 20 as founding members of the SML Center through its Founders Circle.
"We are tremendously grateful to the donors whose generosity and confidence in this vision have brought us to this point," said Jack Phillips, president of The Smith Mountain Lake Center board of directors. "Now we're inviting the entire community to be part of what comes next. Reaching this final $750,000 goal will help us make the renovations that will allow the Center to serve Smith Mountain Lake in so many new ways."
The SML Center has already used the Westlake Cinema building for multiple events and performances as it raised money to purchase the building. The organization's two most recent theatrical productions, "The Addams Family" and "Bonnie & Clyde," both played to sold-out audiences.
The SML Center's next production, "Zombie Prom," will be presented Oct. 22 through Nov. 1 under the direction of board member and artistic director Matt Karris. Additional details, including audition and ticket information, will be announced through The Smith Mountain Lake Center and Center Rep, formerly known as the Lake Players.
Movies will remain an important part of the building's future, according to the release. Following the purchase, The SML Center plans to continue showing first- and second-run films, along with classic movies and other special film programming, while gradually renovating the existing space to accommodate expanded offerings by the SML Center.
"The current cinema building is ideal for us in many ways," said architect and board member Trish England in the release. "With thoughtful renovations, it can continue serving moviegoers while also welcoming concerts, performances, classes, meetings and community celebrations."
In addition to ongoing film programming, the renovated spaces are expected to accommodate youth and adult education, stage productions, lectures, concerts, business functions, receptions and a community connections lounge.
