Mount Baker Theatre
Phase II Renovations
March - November 2008
Mount Baker Theatre's Phase II renovation will include a variety of long-overdue system upgrades that will make our building safer and more comfortable for our patrons, and will result in expanded programming capacity.
Fire Detection and Suppression System
The Theatre presently has only rudimentary fire suppression and alarm systems. Phase II renovations will include the installation of an automatic and manual system with ADA-compliant voice/visual annunciation throughout the Theatre. We will install a fire suppression system, as well as a remote annunciation panel with supervisory signal capability. It will include automatic door-release capability, digitized voice messaging to provide patrons with emergency instructions, manual voice over-ride, sprinkler monitoring and alarm, smoke and heat detectors, manual pull stations, and a monitor point to the kitchen hood system in the privately-owned restaurant that occupies the southwest corner of the building.
Electrical System
The Theatre's electrical system dates to 1927. The asbestos insulation on the wiring is worn, and wires frequently overheat. Wiring in our light fixtures has fused together, causing periodic circuit failures. Most circuits no longer carry the correct voltage, resulting in overly-dim light levels in the auditorium and lobby. All asbestos wiring will be removed. Most of our incandescent lights will be replaced with energy efficient LEDs. Our historic light fixtures will be rewired, and emergency lighting will be installed in the lobbies.
Air Conditioning System
The Theatre's original air conditioning system was dismantled in the 1980's for health and safety reasons. This lack of air conditioning has limited our use of the Main Stage Auditorium during the summer months. We will install a new air conditioning system that will lengthen our programming season, provide more flexibility in our schedule, and allow us to rent our facility to other community organizations during the summer.
Installation of Intrusion Alarm System
The Theater currently has no security system. We will install a zoned, non-coded, annunciated intrusion alarm system. This system will protect our historic facility from vandalism, and secure our back stage equipment from theft. This will benefit not only the Theatre, but also the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, which stores its costly inventory of instruments in our backstage area.
New Boilers, Pipes and Heating System
We will replace the Theatre's antiquated heating and ventilation system. The Theatre's original boiler was irreparably damaged when rust from heavily corroded pipes accumulated in the system and caused it to overheat. We are currently operating with a temporary boiler, installed several years ago as an interim solution. Corroded pipes continue to deposit large amounts of rust into the boiler, and the entire system has outlived its functional life. In addition, the ventilation system is substandard, and fails to evenly distribute heat throughout the hall.
Acoustical Improvements
We will undertake a variety of acoustical improvements that will improve our audience's Theatre experience. Work will include the addition of acoustical curtains on the side walls, acoustic clouds over the apron, and the installation of soundproof doors to partition the Main Stage Auditorium from the lobby area.
Work will also include reinforcement of the building's foundation beneath the rear stage wall, installation of new concrete walls in the boiler room, repairs to the concrete floor of the Main Stage Auditorium, new exterior doors and windows, and repairs to the building's exterior facing and roof
