An Arkansas City bank and roofing company are donating $26,000 for materials and labor to restore the roof of the Burford Buildings.

Union State Bank is providing money for materials and Powers Roofing will provide free labor for the project.

"This is a major step in restoring the Burford," Ellen Snell, executive director of the Arkansas City Area Arts Council, said today. "It's a great donation between two partners."

Bill Docking, chairman and CEO of the bank, and Terry Willoughby, owner of the roofing company, attended a check presentation ceremony this morning at the theater.

The buildings include the old landmark movie theater at 114 S. Summit St. and an office building next door to the north.

The Burford Theatre has been closed since its previous owner, B&B Theatres, opened a new cineplex in December at Strother Field. B&B donated the Burford property to the local arts council in December 2003.

A major portion of the roof of the buildings will be stripped to the original wood deck, Willoughby said. Then a rubberized, modified roll roofing system will be installed.

The project includes the roof area over the lobby of the theater and offices in the building next door. It does not include a barrel roof in the rear of the theater.

"This roof has 12 different elevations," Snell said.

The rear section covers the old movie screen and theater seats, behind the lobby. The theater's rear roof will be restored later, Snell said. Both sections of the roof have been leaky for several years, she added.

Docking and Willoughby both said they are pleased to support the project.

The Burford, like many of the historical theaters in Kansas, was designed by the Boller Brothers, Kansas City, Mo., architects. The Burford opened in September 1924.

Above: Ellen Snell, center, is flanked by Terry Willoughby, left, owner of Powers Roofing, and Bill Docking, right, chairman and CEO of Union State Bank. The two businesses are contributing $26,000 to restore the roof at the Burford buildings.

Original Story: http://www.arkcity.net/stories/020305/com_0001.shtml