ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — It has been some time since Odessans and community members said goodbye to Permian Playhouse in Odessa, but Ector County officials think it's time to give the building a facelift.
How much would a venture like that cost?
Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett alongside the other commissioners moved $130,414 in their budget to buy the iconic Permian Playhouse.
Judge Fawcett went on to say that the organization, Basin Theater Works is still going to be in operations, but "that building simply wasn't something that was conducive to their theater performances any longer."
While Basin Theater Works puts on shows elsewhere, the county saw this as an opportunity that could benefit everyone.
"We thought it in the best interest of the county and the county taxpayers that we go ahead and purchase this and utilize it for county operations," Fawcett said.
Those operations will include a few office spaces but mainly storage for AgriLife programs at the coliseum.
"We have Master Gardeners who participate, we have 4H, we have the kids, cows and more program," Fawcett added. "We have a number of things that this this group does and all of it is located out there at the coliseum."
The benefit of turning this particular building into a storage?
The county did not have one to begin with, so now items can be safe from outside elements.
"That was where the justification came from," Fawcett said. "This is actually going to save taxpayer dollars. Any of that equipment that we have purchased with AgriLife, we will now be able to keep it in there. Keep it safe from the elements and extend those lifetimes of those piece of equipment."
The playhouse will not be gravely missed because for Basin Theater Works, the show will always go on.
"The group who still puts on these plays, they're still going to put them on at the Ector Theater and at some churches and other venues," Fawcett said. "We are not losing the theater footprint in Ector County or in the City of Odessa. It's merely just the building."