Lakesiders are worried about the Old Town Hall/Theater that was built in 1911. It has been sitting empty for several years: "What's to become of it?" they fret. The old building is still up for sale, asking price $600,000.
  The former owner, Fay Emerling, passed away a few years ago and the executor of her estate has been working with the Maine Avenue Revitalization Association (MARA) and a realtor to find a new owner who will lovingly restore it, or at least not tear it down!  MARA has their office in the old theater and has had work parties to haul out unused junk. They were hoping that other theater groups would be able to use the old costumes and stage props that are no longer in use. MARA is trying to take care of it and keep the homeless from breaking and entering.
  MARA had planned to get the "Lakeside Play House" up and running right away with plays, musical events and other community theater venues. They even hosted a couple of fund raisers for the theater's benefit. They want to work with the Broadway Players who could possibly breath new life into our beloved old theater.
  Lakeside Fire Marshall, Greg Shriner, took a serious look at the place and declared that there needed to be major electrical work and other upgrades done before the public would be allowed inside. MARA set about applying for historical and cultural grants, hoping to purchase the building; and, perhaps someday with the help of the community to get it open again. Unfortunately, MARA couldn't come up with matching funds.
  Some business men have expressed and interest in the building to use as a warehouse and a place to park their work trucks. MARA would rather have the theater make a come back for the community to enjoy. For a while a doctor was interested in purchasing both the theater and former Montessori building for a "Wellness Center," that opportunity has gone away too.
  A few months ago the Lamplighters Theater Troop from La Mesa lost their long time theater and was eying the Lakeside Theater/Playhouse as a possibility of moving there. Unfortunately they found the same problem, lack of funds. They said they would even be willing to take a long term lease and restore it along the way. MARA offered to give them a hand. Also, some members of the community have offered to help too.
    If you remember back to the 1980s, that is what the fledgling Lakeside Historical Society did, they decided to take on a huge, almost impossible task -- to rent the Olde Community Church for $300 a month while spending their own time and money to restore it. Much later they were able to purchase it from the Presbytery for a whopping $150,000! At first they wondered if they would ever be able to pay back the loan, but after a few short years of working hard at fundraisers, they paid off the mortgage.
  That is exactly the kind of people with vision and tenacity the Lakeside Old Town Hall/ Theater needs, folks with a vision - the "fixer upper" kind of folks.
  History of Old Town Hall/Theater/Playhouse: The

Woman's Club of Lakeside purchased land so a community building could be built in Lakeside. Town folks donated money toward the project and the building was finished in 1911. Mr. Fedders built it of poured concrete after he finished building the "Second Lakeside School" on Channel Road by the same poured concrete method -- it was a new building concept in those days, the walls are think and sturdy.
  The Town Hall was used for community meetings, dinners and dances and even silent movies. In the 1940's the Kersave family turned it into a movie house. The whole family worked at running the business. It continued to operate until the mid 1980s. Next, Mr. and Mrs. Emerling tried their hand at running the little theater but poor health forced them to retire. The building fell into lean times. For a while it was a black ministry, then a jazz theater, Finally, in it housed a thrift store.
  In 1997 MARA restored the facade, rebuilt the falling down marquee, repainted the front and re-glazed the windows hoping that something good would happen if it looked like someone cared about it. Their prayers were answered, along came Octad One Productions Theater Company who had been having their theater group in College Grove Shopping Center for the past 20 years. They revamped the interior with new stage, seating, sound system and lighting. They poured their hearts, and dollars, into the theater.  Wayne Erreca, the director, and his troop produced many live shows for seven years.
  Unfortunately a negative video about Lakeside, "Culture of Hate," possibly hurt business; and, Wayne took a fall off a ladder and could not continue his work. The theater closed its doors. That's when MARA reentered the picture to try a hand at saving the Old Town Hall/Theater/Playhouse.
  If you would like to donate toward the purchase of the theater, the Maine Avenue Revitalization Association address is: POB 1322, Lakeside, CA 92040. Or, call 390-2924 for further information or to make a pledge.