After nearly ten months of construction and fundraising, the historic Burley Theatre is moving closer to its long‑awaited opening night. The Mount Harrison Heritage Foundation, which has overseen the project since the 1980s, says the $2 million effort is now delivering major upgrades.

Renovation milestones

Vice president Andrew Gibby explained that the team has replaced the old lath and plaster, installed new insulation with spray‑foam for better energy efficiency, and upgraded the HVAC system. “We’ve done the HVAC upgrades; we’ve also changed the stairs, removed the old lath and plaster, and are putting new insulation in,” Gibby said. “Everything will be new, clean and beautiful.”

Seat sponsorship program

The foundation is also selling individually sponsored seats to help fund the project. “All these main seats are almost gone, so we really appreciate the community stepping up,” Gibby noted. A limited number of seats remain available on the main floor and balcony, with sponsors receiving a permanent dedication.

Gibby said the theater will hold just under 400 seats, carefully spaced to ensure comfort and avoid crowding. “We put a lot of thought into it, making sure they are spaced out correctly so you can sit comfortably,” he added.

Looking ahead

While the exact date is still tentative, the foundation hopes to host an opening night toward the end of next year, pending construction progress. “Hopefully the end of next year is kind of what we’re thinking, but you know how construction goes,” Gibby said.

The restoration reflects a broader community effort to preserve Burley’s cultural heritage and provide a dual‑use venue for classic movies and live productions.

Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.