Talk:Elks Building and Theater

Material for article
I just removed the following material from the article. Some or all of it might be restored, if/when specific sourcing supporting it is provided. I copy it to here, hoping to do some searching later, myself. To the editor(s) who added the material, it would help if you could please identify any sources (on-line or off-line) for specific assertions here. Don't be dismayed about it being removed temporarily. Do let's work to develop the article in conformity with Wikipedia requirements. Cheers, -- do ncr  am  20:47, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

Material in question set off in block quotes, with some comments interspersed: The theater in the begining was the host to minstrel shows, balls, plays and theater performances. Movies arrived with the silent era about 1915. In 1929 sound was added and the "talkies" had arrived. Movies continued to be shown till the 1980s. After many changes of private ownerships the opera house was turned over to Arizona Community Foundation in the early 1980s. Then began the effort to return the opera house to its original glory. The opera house was purchase by the City of Prescott in 2001. The Foundation in partnership with the City began the restoration with the lobby, green room, dressing rooms and other parts of the building. Restoration was finally complete by the Foundation and the City in 2010.

"In 2012 the City sold the buildings to a non profit. The Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center (ETPAC). The theater restoration completed, the ETPAC then began plans to renovate and restor the three story Elks Lodge #330."

"The new restoration project continued through 2016 when in December all constrution was completed. Added to the lodge were two state of the art professional dance studios; one with a floating Hickory dance floor and the other with a 'sprung Marley' surface. Each studio is self contained with its own adjustable lighting, heat and air conditioning and state of the art sound systems. Also found on the second floor are five Wenger music and voice isolation practice booths. Plans are in the works to include a digital recording board."

"The third floor of the ETPAC sports two separate banquet halls with a total floor capacity of 200 people and a whole floor sound system. A brand new chef's kitchen was also installed on the third floor, with warming ovens, grills, griddles and more."

"During the remodel every effort was made to save and restor the original construction where possible. That is why you will find the original barrel ceilings with tin stamp found in other parts of the building still in place. The renovation also uncovered a hidden staircase that was saved along with the original stain glass 'clock' that was place in the building by the Brotherhood of Elks. It points to 11 o'clock when in Elks' traditional toast is made to absent members.'Bill' the original locally sourced copper Elk still lives on the roof of the performing arts center."
 * Offhand I like much of the above information, although it is worded informally. I would really like for it to be supported by references and restored.  If there is no published source about the Elk being named "Bill", I still would be okay with it being included, but with a tag calling for a source to be found if possible. -- do  ncr  am  20:47, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

"The ETPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. As part of the purchase agreement a endowment was set up for the perpetual operation and maintenance of the theater and perfoming arts center."

"The mission of the ETPAC is to enhance the community of Prescott by providing space for practice, rehearsal and training of the performing arts."
 * About being a 501c3 seems factual, all can probably be verified by a citation to GuideStar's coverage of the nonprofit, i will look for that later. -- do ncr  am  20:47, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

"All spaces are available for the community. Rentals are available."
 * The above seems not encyclopedic, seems like info that could be posted at the organization's own webpage, which can be linked from an External links section. -- do ncr  am  20:50, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

Sources to consider next include the following, mentioned in an edit summary about copyrighted info. Copyrighted material can be used as a source, just not copied word-for-word. -- do ncr  am  20:50, 13 February 2017 (UTC)
 * http://www.dcourier.com/news/2015/jan/08/uncovering-history-next-phase-of-elks-theater-res/
 * http://www.cityofprescott.net/_d/hpmp_chp12_elks.pdf

edit conflicts
I encountered edit conflicts in the article, will return later. Depending on what is added, it might all get deleted again, or maybe it will be verifiable and okay.

I was going to add/revise the following, to start: The Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center on East Gurley Street in Prescott, Arizona is a three-story Early Commercial style building built in c.1905. It is approximately 95 ft wide and 125 ft deep. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

"It is a classically designed turn-of-the-20th-century opera house seating over 500. Completed in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historical Places, it was one of many 'Elks' Opera Houses' across the country. In 2017, this is the only one surviving."

"A $1.75 million renovation of the theatre in the building was completed in 2010."

"By 2015, ownership of the building was transfered to Prescott Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization."


 * For now, I've deleted all the unsourced stuff. There also may be a conflict of interest issue from a recent editor (not you, doncram), which I've reported in the appropriate venue. -- ‖ Ebyabe talk - Inspector General  ‖ 21:08, 13 February 2017 (UTC)