The Memorial Opera House will be under new management starting on Jan. 1, when an agreement between the city of Valparaiso, its parks department and the Porter County Board of Commissioners takes effect for oversight of the community arts venue.
Under the agreement, according to a Friday release from Valpo Parks, the park department will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of the opera house.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Memorial Opera House into the Valpo Parks family,” parks director Kevin Nuppnau said in the release. “We recognize the importance of this venue to our community and are committed to preserving its legacy while also exploring new and exciting opportunities to engage and entertain our residents and visitors.”
The Memorial Opera House will continue to host a diverse range of programming, including live theater productions, concerts, and community events. The existing Opera House staff will remain in place, according to the release, providing valuable experience and continuity for patrons and partners.
“We hope it would be successful,” Valparaiso’s city attorney, Patrick Lyp, told commissioners last month about the arrangement, but should it not work out during the three-year contract, “no harm, no foul.”
The commissioners are optimistic about the arrangement. “When I was initially approached by Mayor (Jon) Costas about it I was immediately aware of the benefit of it,” Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, has said. “I just thought it was best for the institution of county government. We all see what you do downtown.”
Lyp previously said the MOH’s three employees will have their employment transferred to the city of Valparaiso. The MOH recently celebrated its rededication following a nearly $5 million renovation that came in over $100,000 under budget.
Biggs has said the change will save the county about $200,000 per year as costs such as heating, cooling, staffing, benefits and production are taken on by the city under the agreement.
Valpo Parks is committed to working with existing user groups and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and to foster a collaborative environment for the arts in Valparaiso, according to the release.
For more on the Memorial Opera House, go to https://www.memorialoperahouse.com/.
Freelance reporter Shelley Jones contributed.
