AURORA - During the early part of the 1980s, George Peter, along with a small group of Aurora citizens, knew that the building that housed the Aurora Free Library and the then-unused and neglected Morgan Opera House was a hidden gem of the community.
The group approached the library committee with the idea of remodeling the second floor of the opera house.
The committee agreed, and the Aurora Free Library Preservation Committee was born.
Now, more than 20 years later, the preservation committee is once again looking to delve into a remodeling project that is expected to cost more than $300,000.
The building's roof, front steps and second floor lighting are in dire need of repair.
“The roof is original to the building,” said preservation committee president, Janet Heslop during a fundraising pork roast dinner held at the Aurora Fire Department Saturday afternoon. “There are spots that it leaks and pigeons have taken up residence in the roof.”
Heslop said that the roof has never been completely redone, but rather patched when needed since it was first constructed in the 1890s.
The roof is clay tile that has a copper undercoating and will hopefully be replaced to its original structure, according to committee members.
“No more Band-Aids,” said committee member Kelly Tehan.
The committee has been raising funds for the roof project for approximately a year now and said that construction on the roof is set to begin in June.
“We have recently sent out bid proposals but have not hired a contractor yet,” Heslop said.
The front steps of the building is another large project that is in the works.
“The problem with the front steps is that the foundation shakes and is loosening from the heavy truck traffic on Route 90,” Heslop said.
Peter said that the lighting on the second floor was already quite old when it was installed as part of the renovations of the Morgan Opera House.
“The lighting was antiquated when it was installed,” Peter said. “It was donated to us by a theater located in Ithaca for the original project.”
For community members the library, as well as the Morgan Opera House, is the heart of the community.
“My daughter Vienna always uses the library,” said community member Jacci Farlow. “The building is the heart of our community's artistic spirit. It has been a great benefit to the children who have grown up here.”
Farlow said that it is time to “rally the troops” and restore the treasured building.
According to Heslop, the committee currently has enough funds to replace the roof and will need to do further fundraising to finish the projects that need to be completed.
The committee agreed, and the Aurora Free Library Preservation Committee was born.
Now, more than 20 years later, the preservation committee is once again looking to delve into a remodeling project that is expected to cost more than $300,000.
The building's roof, front steps and second floor lighting are in dire need of repair.
“The roof is original to the building,” said preservation committee president, Janet Heslop during a fundraising pork roast dinner held at the Aurora Fire Department Saturday afternoon. “There are spots that it leaks and pigeons have taken up residence in the roof.”
Heslop said that the roof has never been completely redone, but rather patched when needed since it was first constructed in the 1890s.
The roof is clay tile that has a copper undercoating and will hopefully be replaced to its original structure, according to committee members.
“No more Band-Aids,” said committee member Kelly Tehan.
The committee has been raising funds for the roof project for approximately a year now and said that construction on the roof is set to begin in June.
“We have recently sent out bid proposals but have not hired a contractor yet,” Heslop said.
The front steps of the building is another large project that is in the works.
“The problem with the front steps is that the foundation shakes and is loosening from the heavy truck traffic on Route 90,” Heslop said.
Peter said that the lighting on the second floor was already quite old when it was installed as part of the renovations of the Morgan Opera House.
“The lighting was antiquated when it was installed,” Peter said. “It was donated to us by a theater located in Ithaca for the original project.”
For community members the library, as well as the Morgan Opera House, is the heart of the community.
“My daughter Vienna always uses the library,” said community member Jacci Farlow. “The building is the heart of our community's artistic spirit. It has been a great benefit to the children who have grown up here.”
Farlow said that it is time to “rally the troops” and restore the treasured building.
According to Heslop, the committee currently has enough funds to replace the roof and will need to do further fundraising to finish the projects that need to be completed.