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Using the Thompson Opera House
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Using the Thompson Opera House
By Dave Maxwell
Staff Writer
The Historic Thompson Opera House has been remodeled and is now ready for use and one or two groups have scheduled events there already. However, County Building Director Cory Lytle reported during the regular meeting of County Commissioners June 15, that questions about insurance regulations may limit use of the historic building.
The Opera House, built is 1873, is one of only three such buildings from Nevada's storied past, still operating. The others are in Eureka and Virginia City.
Lytle said the Pioche Chamber of Commerce has talked with him about the possibility of leasing the building and moving their offices from the Commerce Cottage to the Opera House, "Basically to have a presence there, with someone to man the phone, greet visitors, and to promote the building." They would like to use the ground floor as historical display area and for some storage and the upstairs would be the event area. However, the Chamber of Commerce moving into the building has not been fully cleared yet, Lytle said, because the insurance questions have not been worked out.
At present, a County-sponsored event at the Opera House would be covered by the existing policy, but private events would not. "Right now as it stands, if you have a private party in there," he said, "the cheapest private party insurance is about $175. That would be on top of the regular scheduled usage rates." Usage rates do vary, depending on the event, Lytle said.
He said his office has received many inquiries regarding what is covered by County insurance and what is not. One concern Lytle mentioned is that costs of private insurance for events at the Opera House might prove to be too much. Therefore, Lytle said, Michelle Wadsworth from Dolan and Edwards Insurance in Caliente, is looking for ways to find more cost effective insurance. "She's got a lot of insight as to what we might do with this building to give us some options about maybe putting it under a County policy."
An example Lytle mentioned would be if the Pioche Labor Day Committee wanted to host a kid's movie at the Opera House, would that be covered by the County's existing policy, or would special event insurance have to be purchased? Other questions Lytle said he is researching are; is there a County blanket policy for general liability, and is there a policy for special events in other buildings, and what are the costs?
But the Opera House is open for use. "If people have there own insurance that covers them with the event they are having, we'll run with it. Business as usual," Lytle said. For questions about scheduling and insurance costs, call the County Building Department at     775-962-5165 .
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