BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

KERMIT — The Kermit Council took official action last week to move forward on a potential lease of the old Kermit High School Auditorium to businessman John David Messer.

Council members voted in favor of Mayor Charles Sparks pursuing guidance from the town’s attorney about entering into a 50-year lease with Messer, with a reverter clause returning the property to the town.

Messer approached the Council last year and has been nurturing a vision to revitalize the old auditorium. His hopes include an updated theater capable of housing dinner shows, a recording studio, music lesson spaces, and a supervised game room for teens to enjoy on weekends.

Messer, who owns The Gospel Hangout in Kermit, stated his willingness to invest personal funds alongside seeking grant assistance. The initial phase of the restoration would be installing a new roof, estimated to cost around $40,000, with the total project anticipated to reach approximately $250,000.

The proposition sparked a question by Councilwoman Anna Mae Sartin Wellman on potential financial support from the town.

“I wouldn’t expect you to,” Messer responded. “I mean, I would be grateful to have anything that anybody wanted to do, but I wouldn’t expect you to do that. I’ll get the grants myself.”

Messer, who owns the popular Gospel Hangout, said he has support in pursuing grants from a leader of Addiction Recovery Care.

“They know how to get [grants] and where to get them,” he said.

“The reason I’m here is I want to find out if this is something the town is willing to do. I don’t want to be running in circles… It’s been almost a year since I brought it up and I’m not making any progress. I’m not being pushy; I just want to know.”

Messer shared his idea for a potential movie theater screen in the building.

“Something good for the kids,” he said, “because there is nothing for them to do.”