clarke_theatreThe District of Mission has stepped up to keep Clarke Theatre open for at least another year.

Mayor Randy Hawes says Mission School District, like many districts, is struggling with funding and couldn’t properly fund the theatre without sacrificing dollars for classrooms.

“It looked like it may have had to padlock the Clarke Theatre which is a very important community asset. So we have stepped in to say we’re going to put $75,000 into it this year to make sure it stays open for another year.”

Hawes says Mission will work with the school district to develop programs to bring in enough money to keep the theatre running.