The Tooga Theater as the Dandee Denson Shrine Auditorium in 2010

There is one thing most agree on – the old Tooga Theater is in need of repair.  How those repairs are going to be paid for is a question that Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry is addressing by asking the public to donate money to renovate the county-owned building.

Commissioner Elsberry told WZQZ News that he estimates the final cost for renovation of the former movie-theater and Shrine Auditorium to be around $1 million.  The theater was purchased by the former county commissioner from the Chattooga County Shrine Club at a cost of $125,000.  The building is in need of extensive structural and cosmetic repairs.

In addition to applying for grant money, Commissioner Elsberry has enlisted the help of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce in a fundraising campaign for renovation and says that no county tax dollars will be used.   He is asking the public to mail checks to his office and says all donations are tax deductible.