Press Release

Michigan gas utilities supports tibbits restoration

Date:  05/27/08

COLDWATER, MI—

Tibbits Opera Foundation and arts Council, Inc. is most pleased to announce that Michigan Gas Utilities has given a $5,000 gift to Phase III of the "Through the Magic of Believing" campaign to restore Tibbits' facade. The total facade restoration project is budgeted at $1.5 million.   With Michigan Gas Utilities gnerous gift, nearly $600,000 has been raised to date. "What can you say about such a beautiful facility as Tibbits?" said Paul Livernois, External Affairs Manager for Michigan Gas Utilities.

"Coldwater has such a wonderful downtown - and to have a theatre such as the Tibbits is just a plus. The fundraising committee & leadership team at Tibbits are to be commended for their efforts in revitalizing this facility. Michigan Gas Utilities is merely glad to step forward, with the financial help of our friends at the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, to present this gift. Fundraising is difficult; yet we were approcahed in a profesional manner which made us want to step forward with this contribution." Livernois added.

Phase III of the campaign is focused on returning Tibbits facade to its original Second Empire architectural design commissioned by Barton S. Tibbits in 1882. The original facade was changed when movie houses became popular in the 1920s and then again in the 1960s when a group of concerned citizens saved a deteriorating Tibbits from the wrecking ball and covered the facade with the current brick pseudo Mansard style that we have today.

While Tibbits Opera Foundation's board and volunteers are still actively fundraising for the restoration fo the building's original historic facade, work will proceed soon on another small piece of the project with the recreation of the original cupola or dome which adorned the roof.

For more information about Tibbits and the effort to restore the theatre visit www.tibbits.org or call Christine Delaney, Executive Director, at 517.278.6029.