by Roy Taylor, Daily Vidette Reporter

The Normal Theater will be best utilized for screening movies, according to a six-month study conducted by the Normal Theater Advisory Committee.

The committee reported that the theater would be best utilized for its original purpose-screening movies, at the Normal Town Council meeting Monday night.

Chris Koos, chairman of the theater committee, said little renovations would be needed to use it for its original purpose, but with some modifications, the opportunities are great.

Some possibilities Koos outlines were using the theater for music, dances, live productions, and educational uses such as a children’s theater or student productions.

He also said “ISU could be a major user of the theater for lectures or special film productions.”

Ron Mottram, committee member and chairman of the ISU art department, said “with certain renovations, the theater could accommodate several large productions.”

Both committee members said they envision the theater, in its best use, to be an establishment where residents may view alternative films not available in any of the other theaters.

“A town with two universities should broaden their citizens’ interest in film,” Mottram said.

This type of theater could expand several programs including the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and would not “provide any competition to the other theaters in town,” Mottram said.

The theater committee also recommended the theater continue to be owned by the town, hiring professional managers and projectionists, and to have a grand opening by the spring.

In other business, certified public accountants for the Town of Normal reported that the city is once again “in the red.”

Normal Mayor Paul Harmon said most municipalities in Illinois are in debt.

“The Town of Normal remains financially quite healthy,” Harmon said.

Mark Peterson, assistant city manager, said the Normal debt will be paid by 2001.