Potter community continues work to restore former legion hall

POTTER, Neb. (KOLN) - A historic theater and former legion hall in Potter is being restored to serve as an important community event space.

The Potter Community Legion Hall, originally built in 1918 as the Seyfang Theater, required extensive structural repairs when the village purchased it from the American Legion in 2017 or 2018.

“There’s no place quite as big as this that could hold as many people with as much charm and character as this has,” said Hal Enevoldsen of Potter.

John Seyfang, one of Potter’s first residents, built the theater and playhouse in 1918. His family operated the theater until the 1940s.

The American Legion purchased the building in 1941 to preserve it for the community. World War I veterans, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans and other veterans operated the building until the village acquired it.

What began as a simple renovation uncovered significant problems.

“We were just going to start real simple and tear the plaster and the lath and tiles down and put up a drop ceiling. And when we got in there, the trusses were all fractured,” Enevoldsen said.

The original trusses remain but required sistering on both sides due to fractures. The stage, wainscoting and columns are new. The original floor remains intact.

The building now features a future balcony where a projection booth once stood. The balcony will be able to hold about 40 people, once completed.

A new annex is planned for the property next door. It will house public restrooms, a concession stand, lobby and kitchen.

“It looks like we may need another six to seven hundred thousand dollars to finish everything,” Enevoldsen said. Work continues to raise funding for this important local project.

The fire marshal issued a temporary permit allowing the space to be used while fundraising continues. So, it’s already getting plenty of use for everything from performances to birthday parties.

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