The historic but long-closed Pecos Theatre in downtown Santa Rosa, New Mexico, may reopen by September, according to an architect overseeing its renovations.
The Communicator, based in Santa Rosa, reported in its Dec. 28 print edition project architect Kevin Belciar told the Guadalupe County Commission what work remained.
In a brief but pointed presentation, he recommended a new countertop. He spoke about how the lighting “will rise up” while providing room for subwoofers, and how stadium seating will be in place for the theater’s opening. He touched upon the installation and ceiling tile for acoustic effect, as well as the projection room and the attic space that comes with the old facility. […]
Bidding for the restoration work is scheduled for Jan. 10, with construction expected to begin March 1, Balciar said. The work should then last about six months, he said.
Balciar also said the theater would have energy-efficient LED lighting, plus a mix of limestone, gravel and concrete to resolve a longstanding problem draining a natural spring under the theater.
Earlier reports in the newspaper indicated the theater would need about $700,000 in renovations. A good chunk of that comes from replacing a rotted wooden floor and converting projection equipment to digital. County commissioners previously said they wanted the Pecos Theatre to be a multipurpose facility that can handle movie screenings and plays.
The theater opened in 1917. The last film screened at the theater was “Legends of the Guardians” in November 2010 before it closed. The theater sits on Fourth Street downtown, about 1 1/2 blocks south of Route 66.
According to Cinema Treasures, the theater held 350 seats, although that likely would change because of the stadium seating.
At the time of its closing, it was the oldest operating theater on Route 66. The Pecos began as the El Paso Tiempo, then was the Santa Rosa Theatre in 1920, the Kiva in 1951, the Rodeo in 1936, and finally the Pecos in 1981.
(Image of the Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, by Pete Zarria via Flickr)
I loved to stop into this theater on my way to Illinois. Rudy Sanchez was the owner then and we became very good friends.