Fundraising and Budget

We have raised approximately $2 million so far for the New Orpheum. This consists of approximately $1.3 million in donations and pledges from just under 150 private donors, and approximately $700,000 from the Federal Government, New York State, and Greene County.

Our original estimate in 2001 was that we would be able to build the New Orpheum theater for $2.4 million. This number was based upon rough cost estimates for each component of the project, prepared in conjunction with the outside architectural team. At this point the estimate is $3.3 million. Now that the actual construction drawings are complete (the final plans were completed in mid-November 2005 and run about 100 pages), we now have the details needed to prepare precise costs estimates, rather than rough estimates. Even now, our estimates for the concrete, electrical and HVAC work are preliminary. These components of the work will be done by subcontractors, and now that our architectural and engineering plans are done, we can send them out to begin the competitive bidding process.

There are several factors that have led to increased costs in the Orpheum Theater budget.

• Cost increases over time - This project has been in the planning stages for a long time. The $2.4 million budget is about three years old at this point. During this time, costs of construction materials, of the equipment we will need to purchase, and of construction labor have gone up significantly. Outside consultants have estimated that construction costs have gone up 25% to 35% over the past three years. This has added between $300,000 and $400,000 to the project cost.
• Fundraising and lobbying - We have raised almost $2 million. This is the largest amount of money that the Catskill Mountain Foundation has raised for any single facility project. The money raised includes almost $700,000 in Federal, State and County funds, with the balance coming from private donors. It has taken us almost four years to raise this money, and our fundraising and lobbying costs have become significant enough to be included in our budget. At this point, our fundraising and lobbying costs are expected to total about $75,000, but would increase if we need to hire a full-time fundraiser to raise the remaining funds needed for this project.
• The curved rows of seating as well as curved walls and ceiling in the auditorium are beautiful design elements created by Hugh Hardy. These were not in our original plans and add approximately $50,000 - $75,000 to the project costs.
• The beautiful trellis designed by Hugh Hardy for the exterior makes the New Orpheum a stunning new building. But this too is expensive, and was not in our original design. The cost to build and install this trellis is estimated to be approximately $80,000. Ruder Finn, Inc. has agreed to donate this trellis, separate from the cash pledge made by Peter and Sarah Finn.
• The outdoor patio and landscaping now planned for the Orpheum were not part of the original plan. These are significant enhancements, but add at least $50,000 to the project cost. We are hoping to find a sponsor to underwrite this component of the Orpheum project.
• The theater lighting and rigging, sound system and film projection equipment needed for the Orpheum are expected to cost approximately $300,000. We have tried hard to reduce these costs, but this is the equipment we will need to have a fully functioning professional performing arts center. This is a significant portion of the current shortfall between the funds we have raised and our projected costs. We are hoping to find a special donor to underwrite the cost of this equipment.
• Chuck Royce has donated the services of Lewis Jacobsen, who has been part of the architectural planning team, and this has helped keep these costs from escalating even further.
• The costs of the rendering showing what the completed New Orpheum will look like and the costs of the wood model of the interior of the Orpheum auditorium have been covered through a special donation from Chuck and Deborah Royce These costs came to about $13,000 and are included in the budget total, but have been underwritten.
• The cost of designing and printing all promotional materials has been donated by Ruder Finn.