REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- Some big news, and a big check, heading to Clear Space Theatre. Tuesday, Senator Ernie Lopez and Speaker of the House, Pete Schwartzkopf guaranteed Clear Space Theatre 300-thousand dollars of state funds.
"To represent this town and also a town that has the best community theater in Delaware in it and is a vibrant part of this community, not just in the past, and not just in the present, but in the future," said Sen. Ernie Lopez.
"Arts take young people and give them opportunities. I think that's great. It's a wonderful thing for them to learn to perform, learn to sing, learn to do whatever they have the talent for," said Rep. Schwartzkopf.
About a year ago, Clear Space's Executive Director, Wesley Paulson, asked for 100-thousand dollars for the theatre's capital campaign. Tuesday, the two politicians guaranteed 300-thousand.
"That money will help us finish up finish up paying for our construction plans, allow us to go to bid, and finish construction on the theater," said Paulson.
This comes just two weeks after Rehoboth Beach overturned the site plan approval from the planning commission. Some locals have concerns about noise, traffic, and parking. But they still say the 300-thousand dollars can be a good thing.
"Maybe that will give them some flexibility to make the changes we are talking about. Maybe to get more parking or buy the lot next door so there's more space for the theaters," said Harvey Shulman who lives in Rehoboth Beach.
"Clear Space is one of the reasons people come to Rehoboth. It has an economic impact on the community. Any time you have that combination it's going to be something that's valued and important," said Sen. Lopez.
