Warwick Theater Foundation Looking to Match $25,000 Donation

The campaign to on Pleasant Street got its first shot in the arm this week. An anonymous Swampscott resident has made a challenge pledge of $25,000 toward the construction of the theater.

“This is what we’ve been working towards for several months now, and we’re all very excited that this challenge has been placed,” said Michael McCloskey, the chairman of the Warwick Theater Foundation.

The foundation is trying to raise $1.2 million to build a two-cinema theater in a new 38,000-square-foot retail and office building that is proposed as a replacement for the existing Warwick Theater building on Pleasant Street. The new building would be built by Marblehead businessman and philanthropist Eijk van Otterloo.

The Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals are reviewing the proposed design of the new building.

To get the $25,000, the foundation must secure a matching $25,000 donation or several donations that equal $25,000.

“With all the emails, phone calls and letters of support we’ve received since January, we’re very confident that some generous resident will match this pledge and help us realize this long awaited dream,” McCloskey said.

He said he thinks it is great that the first donation comes from Swampscott. It confirms their belief that the new Warwick Theater will be enjoyed not only by the people of Marblehead, but by the residents of surrounding communities as well, he said.

The plan for the new Warwick will include a 1,500 square-foot lobby that would seat up to 50 people for three meals a day, plus cocktails in the evening until 11 p.m.

“We think we’ve developed some very innovative uses for the lobby. Most small local movie houses open around 5 or 6 (p.m.), sometimes for only four or five days a week. We believe that by serving three meals a day, having a varied menu of fresh healthy foods and beverages in addition to showing all kinds of free HD-quality digital programs on the many screens in the room, we can offer something you won’t find anywhere else,” McCloskey said.

The local architect and leaders of the Marblehead 20/20 organization said this challenge pledge re-affirms that the Warwick is no longer “just a pipe dream."

Anyone willing to contribute to this challenge can make the pledge by calling or emailing McCloskey or Kristen Nyberg at either Michael@warwicktheater.org or Kristen@warwicktheater.org. Contact information for both donors and volunteers can be found on the foundatation's Web site, www.warwicktheatre.org, or on its FaceBook page; http://www.facebook.com/SaveTheWarwick.