Cine Plaza – El Casino Ballroom documentary update
El Casino Ballroom, 2007, showing (in gray) the portion damaged by the 1991 storm. Note corrugated metal patches on roof. / photo by Daniel Buckley
Work is progressing at Tucson’s El Casino Ballroom toward restoring the historic community center to its full-size glory.
In 1991 half of the roof blew off the structure, setting down in the parking lot. It took until 2000 for the ballroom to reopen at half size, the worst-damaged portion of the roof covered as best it could be.
El Casino Ballroom 06/10/11 with the damaged portion of the building removed / photo by Daniel Buckley
Earlier in 2010, the damaged portion of the structure was torn down to the ground, leaving only the original doors on the east side and the restored west-side section of the building.
Over the course of the summer, support structures have gradually been placed to support the new roof for the missing segment. It’s been a beautiful sight.
El Casino Ballroom 06/19/11 with roof supports under construction / photo by Daniel Buckley
Daniel Buckley has been capturing stills all summer, documenting the process. Ultimately the images will be featured in the next installment of the Cine Plaza at the Fox documentary series, along with interviews with folks from all walks of life for whom El Casino Ballroom has been a place of celebration and gathering.
El Casino Ballroom 07/13/11 with more roof supports in place / photo by Daniel Buckley
We still need your help, to donate to help El Casino Ballroom come back to full life, and to tell your series and share your photos for the documentaries. Contact El Casino Ballroom to donate to its restoration fund, and write Daniel Buckley at dbtucson@gmail.com to share your stories and photos.
Speaking of photos, click these to see full-size versions of all the images.
El Casino Ballroom 08/11/11 with roof supports now in place / photo by Daniel Buckley
And check back to see more on what’s happening with the El Casino Ballroom documentary project.