HOLYOKE – The purchase of a building at 134 Chestnut St. behind the Victory Theater will allow the renovation project to bring in touring theatrical productions no other facility in the region can accommodate.

MIFA Victory Theater Executive Artistic Director Donald Sanders explained to Reminder Publishing the addition of the former funeral home and apartment building will give the Victory Theater additional space it will need.

“It really moves the project forward,” he said.

Sanders explained there are no facilities in New England that have the space for touring Broadway shows. “It [The Victory] is adding something that doesn’t exists,” he added.

Having the touring Broadway shows is part of the Victory’s business plan, he added.

The facilities that will be at 134 Chestnut St. could not be added to the theater’s building, Sanders said.

Funding for the purchase was provided through the Beveridge Family Foundation, Catalyst Donors Donald and Michele D'Amour and the Friends of MIFA Victory Theatre. The property was acquired on Nov. 5.

“With 143 Chestnut Street we can fulfill our extensive business plan for the Victory because now we have the space for the expanded services needed to house first-rate Broadway touring shows and specialty music, theater, dance and entertainment events from around the world. Not to mention making the Victory the center of gravity for our education and community Affiliates Programs,” Sander said.

He added, “Having the 134 Chestnut Street property allows us to realize architectural plans that include increased dressing rooms, systems and production services, utilities, office, security and management space and, very important, a loading dock with capacity for the kind of large scale shows the Victory will host. Coupled with extensive improvements inside the Victory itself, such as more rest rooms, stylish bars, concessions, lounges and a 42-piece orchestra pit. T­­hese additions will make the Victory a fully functional 21st century venue, the kind of elegant first-class legitimate live theater its founders envisioned in 1919 – one that gave our city and region such joy for years. We'll show movies too! These enhancements are beautifully shown in the plans for the entire theater complex completed this year by our architect Michael Viveiros of Durkee, Brown, Viveiros and Werenfels / DBVW and approved by the City of Holyoke Planning Board in January 2019.”

The renovations to 134 Chestnut are now being finalized, he said. He called the changes to be made to the building as “substantial.”

Sanders said, “Our latest success is a result of the continued passion, zeal and persistence of all of us who want what only a great live theater can bring. Acquisition of 134 Chestnut provides us with the momentum for accomplishing our next goals, which include Governor Baker’s activating the bond bills authorized in 2018 allowing us to go to construction as we continue to raise monies through a donor financing package into 2026 and a capital campaign designed by Susan Palmer of the Palmer Westport Group.”