Ethel Bisgrove Memorial Theater

Greetings from just outside Montreal...

Here's a brief true story about a theater I volunteered to build in May as a memorial to a wonderful lady. Thirty-three years ago a 42-year-old woman named Ethel Bisgrove decided to create a seniors community center here in our town just outside Montreal. For those thirty-three years as manager she never took a salary even though the board continued to offer her one.

I'm 50 years old and have been a HT buff since my twenties ... 3 years ago I showed this lady my home theater and she thought what a great idea for the senior's center. The center applied for a Government grant but was refused.... but the idea stayed with her. A year ago she was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and tragically she died this past May. During a visit with her two weeks before she died, she told me that her biggest dream for the center was for me to build "that theater". As a memorial to her, her daughter along with the center asked me to build it and since July2nd I’ve been doing just that.

A number of members here at AVS have been extremely helpful with equipment and/or advice...Special thanks to Dachavez ... Jjw350 … Sharerware … JasonColeman ...Tiddler … cynical2 and FilmMixer.

The carpet went in on Friday and today I'm heading over to install the recessed fixtures and chairs. The only thing left to decide on (budget wise) is the screen and FilmMixer is trying to solve that. I've built the theater in what used to be the Boardroom.…dimensions - 24 x 14ft with 3 rows of 4 chairs on risers. The windows will be completely light controlled. BTW.... this senior’s facility is in a 1920's house that was donated by our town.

Old back hall entrance to the boardroom.....new version with added front arch to create a small hall where the lady's picture, awards and memorial plaque will go.







Above the inner most door will be this backlit sign created for me by AVS member "dachavez"




More pics later today/tonight

I've managed to buy all the equipment here on AVS with a lot of generosity from some of the members listed above....some has also been donated....as I mentioned I'm in the process of solving my screen dilema with AVS member "FilmMixer"....got my fingers crossed that its financially feasible. I'll be installing a Panasonic AX-100, Oppo 981 dvd player, Onkyo receiver and speakers donated by JBL !! As far as construction goes...Our town chipped in on the materials and the cost of the electrician. The local carpet guy was really great as well.

Yes....I plan to build an 18 x 30" light box and light the inside with standard rope light.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and yes, there is going to be a handrail....Its on my list of small items to finish. I'll be posting more pics over the next few days.

xsrender...Thanks very much...as it turns out, our local photo processing store has sent it into Montreal to be printed properly and he's covering the cost...but thanks. As far as the lighting goes...I'm kinda stuck with the rope lights because my power source (plug) is on a dimmer circuit so fluorescents are out.

Steve

Hi Everyone.....

Once again, thanks for your comments. Today I blacked out the windows and attached chair legs. I'm installing cognac colored shutters in about a week, but in the meantime I now have 100% control of light. Here are a couple of pics from today....

Colors aren't rendered well in these...Actual colors are: Carpet-darkish green..Chairs-sage green....Walls-darkish beige




Please ignore my camera's color rendering....you'll notice the windows are blacked out

Today I received the sign...it looks amazing! The type of sign material is called "durotrans". I'm going to build a lightbox backlit with rope lights and I'm wondering if any of you have experience/tips mounting a durotrans into a homemade box?

Thanks
Steve

I was originally thinking of building my own projector mount but now my thought process is to just buy one and save the possible grief. I will need a drop at the back of the theater of probably 20 to 24 inches. Can any of you recommend one....it will be for a panasonic ax-100

Hi Everyone...

Thought I'd post another shot which isn't so blurry. I still haven't managed to set my camera for the proper colour rendition but its gives a good example of the mood in the room. You'll notice I've installed the equipment cabinet but still have to put up the railing, screen, projector and speakers....all of which should be installed in the next few weeks. A huge thank you to "FilmMixer" for his Carada screen and projector mount! I'll be posting more pics soon.

I installed the sign today in the hallway outside the theater....this isn't the greatest photo of it but it looks fantastic !

Well....thought I'd post a picture of the screen...its amazing. Its a Carada 110" and many, many thanks to FilmMixer.... without his generosity, a screen of this quality wouldn't have been within the budget. Here's a quick shot my wife took of yours truly (left) with a friend installing it.

Thanks Jim.....The corners it shall be....I have no idea what "1/8 space loading" is but it sounds good to me...lol.

Well....as of Saturday at about 10:30am the theater was finally finished! The JBL's arrived thanks to JJW350Z and they sound tremendous with the Onkyo. The screen and projector combo (Panasonic ax-100 & Carada 110") provide an incredible picture along with the Oppo981. This coming Friday will be the official dedication and ribbon cutting with everyone from the center invited along with city officials and Ethel's family. I'll be posting some final shots and pics from the party next week but I want to thanks to all you folks who helped in so many ways...I kinda wish each of you could see it ...it really is great. Thanks !!