Elgin Opera House to operate Christian Science building

PENDLETON – The Elgin Opera House and the city of Pendleton have entered a memorandum of understanding that will see the performing arts group take ownership of the Christian Science building on Main Street. The city was gifted the building by the Bisnett family and sought people who were interested in using the space to submit plans to the city council. At the meeting this week, the council endorsed selling the building to the Elgin Opera house.

“We’re excited about the project because they’ve been wanting to find a home in Pendleton for a number of years,” City Manager Robb Corbett said. “We think it aligns with our vision for the downtown.”

Corbett said the city will construct an ADA entrance for the building which is on the corner of South Main Street and Southwest Byers Avenue. It has also agreed to submit the project for an urban renewal grant. Meanwhile the Elgin Opera House will be applying for grants to aid in the renovation of the building, which has been vacant except for a small number of events for several years.

Corbett added that the group plans to begin rehearsing for a summer series of productions to be held at the Vert Auditorium in Pendleton this year and hopes to have its new home ready for use by 2026 or 2027.

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