CLIFTON FORGE (WSLS10) - Volunteers who helped restore The Historic Masonic Theatre held a grand reopening ribbon cutting ceremony.
They hope the improvements bring more visitors to the area.
One person who went to the theatre, Jack Burbret, said it was a hub where people gathered. Burbret also said it was the spot locals went on dates.
"Yeah I had my first date here, saw tons and tons of movies," Burbret said.
Project managers said the theater shut down in the late 1980's after the steam locomotive industry left the town.
Clifton Forge residents are glad to see the theater get a new lease on life.
"Cause back in the day this really put Clifton Forge on the map, it's so neat to see it's going to put us back on the map," Burbret said.
Members in the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting this afternoon for the grand reopening.
It has major renovations like new plumbing, wiring and like balcony seating.
The price tag to give this historic structure a facelift about $6,300,000.
"It's been extraordinary, just to see it get to this level of finish it just kind of exceeded our expectations" Meade Snyder, the President of the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation said.
The theater also houses an underground café and lounge area for smaller events in the basement and on the top floor is a hall where people can hold receptions.
Board members on the Masonic Theatre Foundation hope those new features will attract other people to Clifton Forge.
"It's drawing people like it did before, people are very excited about it, they walk in and it's unbelievable," John Hillert who is on the board of directors for the Masonic Theatre said.
There are celebrations for the grand reopening of the hotel.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. there will be a viewing of the classic film Wizard of Oz.