The Rio Theater in Helper was built in 1998, and has been home to part of the Helper Arts, Music and Film Festival as well as the Butch Cassidy Film Festival and numerous other concerts and dance recitals throughout the years. And even though it has continually been owned by Helper City it has never reached it’s full potential that is until now.

Appearing at last weeks Commission meeting Helper City Mayor Lenise Peterman to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding with the county. “The Tax Advisory Board reviewed an application we put forth to match some previous funding we had achieved Eccles Foundation of $25,000, $10,000 from the Helper Project and $5,000 from a local mortgage company, so we had asked the Tax Advisory Board for $10,000 for a total of $50,000” said Peterman.

The money will be used to improve sound and lighting and overall facility improvements. The City had entered in to an agreement with West Coast Show Support to do the upgrades and they will also be able to act as a promoter to bring in concerts and other types of live entertainment to the space.

The Tax Advisory Board had already approved the petition and Peterman was seeking the approval of the Commission.

“I think this is a good opportunity, the company who is helping with the project has the opportunity to bring in lots of concerts and this will allow them to host those concerts and it will be a good addition to our community and it will be a draw, I think it’s a good project.” Commissioner Casey Hopes who has been attending the meetings about the Rio Theater Project commented.

In the end the Commissioners agreed unanimously.

In closing Peterman said that there will be a public showing on April 10, as well as that there will be a music festival promoter coming in that is looking to do something in Utah.