Kearney theater now historical

KEARNEY, Neb. — The World Theatre is historical.

The Masonic Temple Building, the home of the World Theatre since 1927, now is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building at 2318 Central Ave. also is the headquarters of the Rob Morris Chapter of the Masonic Temple Association, Job’s Daughters fraternal organization for young women, and other community groups.

With the permission of the Masonic Temple Association, the World Theatre Foundation was instrumental in getting recognition from the National Park Service on the registry.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization working to reopen the historical theater.

“It’s very cool,” said Jon Bokenkamp, executive director of the foundation. “It shows how serious we are about it. We’re in the long haul. Our hearts are in the right place.”

Bokenkamp said being on the register qualifies the World Theatre for some additional financial help, such as state and federal tax incentives and grants.

The question is: Will that make a difference in time?

There are repairs needing completion before the theater can open. Those repairs include fixing two furnaces and the ceiling, and making the bathrooms accessible by wheelchair. In addition, the funds will be used to make electrical upgrades to the theater and to remove a wall that divides the theater’s auditorium.

With just weeks to go, the foundation has raised $126,000 of its $150,000 goal. The drive ends Dec. 31.

“We’re close,” Bokenkamp said. “It’s nerve-racking. It’s an old theater that we have uphill battles to fight, as far as repairs that need to be done. It’s the worst economic downturn of our lifetime.”

The foundation’s goal is not to make a profit but to serve the community. The World Theatre will be open three nights a week, will be volunteer-run, and won’t show new releases. It will show documentaries, independent films and classics.

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