Winter Haven City Commission Votes to Consider Acquiring the Historic Ritz Theatre

Winter Haven City Commission Votes to Consider Acquiring the Historic Ritz Theatre

by James Coulter

For nearly 100 years, the Historic Ritz Theatre has been a cultural cornerstone of Winter Haven. Now, the City is considering taking the historic theater under its ownership.

At their regular meeting on Monday, March 25, Winter Haven City Commissioners voted unanimously to provide guidance to staff to pursue conversations around acquiring the theater, placing its ownership and maintenance directly in the hands of the City.

Since 2004, the City of Winter Haven has provided financial support with more than $515,000 in contributions through annual grants and aid payments. Unfortunately, the theater is facing “a dire financial position” with mortgage obligations and general operation costs.

“[City] Staff suggested a total budget of $100,000 spread over two years to address these minor repairs and any routine items that may develop,” the City staff memo stated. “The biggest long-term needs identified are the replacement of the membrane roof and three 30-ton air conditioning units. Given the condition of the roof, replacement would need to occur in the next 3-5 years.”

As such, earlier this year, representatives from the Historic Ritz Theatre Board of Directors met with the City Manager” to discuss the future of The Ritz and the financial challenges they are anticipating.” 

One proposed suggestion would be to place the ownership and operation of the Ritz Theatre under the City’s care. As the staff memo suggested: “In the event the City were the owner and operator of The Ritz, Theatre Winter Haven would be willing to program and manage the space, similar to their programming and management of the theatrical spaces at Chain of Lakes Park.”

“The Ritz is not only a historic structure, but also a significant element of the downtown core,” the memo said. “Fully activating the space can have a direct economic benefit to the other downtown businesses by creating an arts and cultural destination that results in residual or ancillary spending at restaurants, bars, and retail establishments.”

City Commissioners briefly mulled over the idea of the City acquiring and owning the historic theater. Mayor Nathanial J. Birdsong, Jr. wondered if the theater’s 501c3 non-profit status would be affected by the potential transfer.

“Whether they would permit a transfer of ownership, that would have to be looked at,” said City Attorney John Murphy. “We could look at and analyze that. Make sure we can see a pathway forward. The rest is in the details.”

During public comments, several people stepped forward to attest to the Ritz’s significance in their community. One resident, Jessica Scuba, mentioned how much of a cultural cornerstone the theater has been, and how acquiring it could make it more of an asset than a liability.

“I want to say I fully support the city purchasing the Ritz,” she said. “I think it could be a great asset for the City and it will be good for you to have more control over what happens in there.”

Many of them were members of Bridge Church, which utilizesthe auditorium for their church services. Its pastor, Dimitri Phillips, mentioned how he started the church after moving from Hawaii to Florida, or, as he put it, “left one paradise for another.”

Since starting his church three years ago, his church has reached 600 people with 200 members currently in his congregation. Aside from services, his church also provides programs that benefit local youth and adults, from training in financial security to STEM programs.

Jacob Paulson started attending the church when he moved from Missouri. It allowed him to develop his leadership skills, and now he serves as a local teacher. There he also met his girlfriend, who later became his wife.

“The utilization of that space has developed me as a young man and [it is] representing a generation,” he said.

Dakota Richardson, another congregation member, has been attending for two years. The church, and, by extension, the theater, has proven to be both a cultural and spiritual force within the city, and acquiring the theater will allow its reach to grow stronger.

“This city has the opportunity to be blessed with this theater,” she said. “Since walking through the entryway of a unique movie theater and calling this a church, I knew the Ritz Theater would be a cornerstone of diversity. It has provided beautiful unity rather than uniformity and also a place where the heart God can reach the city through the church.”