MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. -- It's a small Moundsville theater with big plans for the future. But for now, it's one step at a time.

The Strand Theatre Preservation Society is launching the Friends of Strand. It's a project they hope will help them gather funds - and complete a renovation project.

"We hope within a short time we'll be able to have some informal events that will be taking place once we have bathroom facilities and emergency facilities set in place,” said Tiffany Turner, coordinator of Friends of Strand.

The theater was shut down in 1996 to undergo major repairs. So far, the preservation society has raised $1.6 million. But they need about $700,000 more to finish the project.

"For starters we need to show the state and federal government that we do have the backing of the community to open up the theater, with help with grants and monies from those areas," Turner said.

They're in the midst of updating the lobby. They've installed a new heating and cooling system.

All along, the theater’s had a good core group of supporters. But they hope the Friends of Strand initiative will attract more people to the Fifth Street building where the curtain could soon be lifted again.

"We have a need in this area for performing arts and with the theatre and with the group of people the we have in our society, we're providing the need for that area," Turner said.

For more information on the Friends of Strand or the Strand Theatre, visit strandtheatrewv.com.