Another virus casualty: The Kay?

Unless Rockdale rallies to its cause, again, a town landmark may become a victim of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Bob Burnett, president of the Kay Theatre Foundation, said the fully-restored 73-year-old venue is down to about 3-1/2 months operating expenses.

“Our only income comes from renting out the theatre and, of course, we cannot do that with large public gatherings prohibited,” he said.

Burnett said the historic theatre, which has been the site of numerous community gatherings (see photos on this page) is in danger of losing its 501c3 (tax exempt) status.

“We have applied for a grant, which will help quite a bit, if we get it,” he said.

“But we’re hurting,” Burnett said.

He said even when the Kay is not being used there are monthly expenses including insurance, electric bills, phone bills and others.

“The only way we can make money is to rent it out,” he said. Burnett noted a number of activities which might have used the Kay have been canceled. “Just recently we learned the Fall Music Fest, set for downtown Rockdale in October, has been called off,” he said. That date also hosts the annual Run For the Kay 5K/1K Run-Walk, a major fund raising event for the Kay.

Burnett said if the Kay Foundation loses its 501c3 status, due to its charter it would surrender control of the building and grounds.

“It would then go to another local 501c3 organization,” he said. “There are a couple of them in Rockdale and, of course, I can’t speak for them. I don’t know if either of them would want it.”