Black Hills Playhouse Approved in State House (audio)

Air Date:03/09/2010

By Eryn Clement

The State House voted to continue the lease agreement at the Black Hills Playhouse. A senate bill extends the lease until September 30, 2019 if significant repairs are made within two years.

Senate bill 102 has been called the last chance measure for the Black Hills Playhouse located in Custer State Park. The theater’s lease with the state expired last year and the state has opposed renewing it without updates to a half dozen buildings and the sewage system. Opponents of the bill argue that there is too much work needed to maintain the theater. Proponents counter that the Black Hills Playhouse is a historical landmark that shouldn’t just be dismissed. Representative Peggy Gibson is a proponent of the bill. She says the theater has performances that you won't find anywhere else.

“I’ve been to New York City, I’ve been to Europe, I’ve attended plays all over the world and the Black Hills Playhouse is next to none. The entertainment, the bang for your buck that you get at the Black Hills Playhouse is phenomenal,” says Gibson.

The bill passed with a 65 to 4 vote. The measure has already been approved by the Senate but now returns there so senators can consider changes made by House members.

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