October 18, 2016
By Paul Joseph, News Director
The City of Cordell is set to reopen the Washita Theater in about six weeks if all the eyes are dotted and the “Ts” are crossed.
The new lessors are business people already in Cordell, according to Cordell City Manager JC Moser. Richard and Karrie Varner were approved as lessors at the city council’s meeting on Monday night.
The theater has been closed much of the last several years even though the city purchased new digital equipment for it in 2014. It ran for several months with a lessor, but he wasn’t able to continue his lease.
Moser says the Varner’s know very well how to run a business, but, specifically, running a theater will be a new experience for them.
The Varners stated at a presentation to the council that they’ll show first and second run releases with an emphasis on acquiring movies designed for families and young adults and will provide two shows a night.
Moser says one of the theater’s special areas known as the “cave” will be available for birthday parties, reunions, and other events.
The Varners hope to have the theater open around December 1.
Moser says that the Varners have spoken with the individual who helped install the digital equipment two years ago and he’ll soon check the equipment besides teaching them how and help them operate and maintain it.
After several weeks without a full slate of council members to represent the various wards in Cordell, the council appointed replacements for the open seats.
After an executive session Monday night, the council chose Darryl Anthony to the Ward 3 seat, Zetta Penner to Ward 2 and Steve McLaughlin to the Ward 1 seat.
Both Penner and McLaughlin have previously served on the Cordell City Council.
The council will meet next on Monday night, November 7.
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