‘De-Squeaking’ The Flynn

Renovations at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vt., include getting rid of more than 1,400 squeaky seats that date back to 1946.

A fundraising effort is under way to “de-squeak” the Flynn, according to the local paper, as part of $1 million in improvements.

The plan would also improve acoustics and add lighting to play up the Art Deco features in the lobby and on the façade of the 81-year-old building, as well as add wheelchair-accessible seating.

Renovations began in summer, according to the Burlington Free Press, with a $359,000 refurbishment of its loading dock.

Flynn Center Executive Director John Killacky told the paper the project is intended to bring the PAC “into the future” and “keep it the jewel that it is.” He hopes fundraising does well enough to enable the project to be completed by summer 2012, between the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival in early June and the start of the Flynn’s fall season in late September.

Much of the needed $1.5 million has already been raised, according to the paper.

Once completed, the project is expected to increase the Flynn’s wheelchair accessible stations from six to 16. The reconfiguration would reduce permanent seating by 28 to 1,425. But the seats will be more streamlined, with improved legroom and sight lines.

The Flynn Center is home to productions by Lyric Theatre, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and Vermont Stage, and produces its own original programming as well as brings in outside promoters including Higher Ground.