THE GREATER ONEIDA CIVIC CENTER INC. IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CREATED IN 1983 WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO MAINTAIN THE FORMER KALLET THEATRE BUILDING AS A COMMUNITY CENTER AND PROVIDE PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMPRISED OF A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RELIES HEAVILY ON ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO WORK AT ALL EVENTS HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

To enhance the quality of life for the people of the Greater Central New York Area, by maintaining and preserving an elegant multifunctional historic landmark.

Participation

Yesterday... The Kallet was originally built on Madison Street in 1912 and called the Madison Theater. It was the principal playhouse for the City of Oneida for years, presenting live stage productions by numerous traveling companies, vaudeville, silent movies and the first "talkies."

In 1937 Myron Kallet built the "Ultra Modern" Kallet Theater on Main Street, and it became Central New York's "showcase" for screen entertainment. The Theater was fully decorated in the Art Moderne style, popular during the 1930's and 40's.

The Kallet closed in the mid to late 1960's, and the building was left vacant for several years. In the 1970's a 7,000-square-foot raised hardwood floor was installed at the stage level in the theater, and the revamped building was opened as a roller skating rink. By 1981 the doors were once again closed and the building left vacant.

Former Oneida Mayor Herbert Brewer appointed a task force of concerned citizens to look into the possibility of renovating the Kallet Theater to convert it to a Civic Center. As part of a renewal effort for the downtown section of the city, the building and adjacent parking lot had already been purchased by the City of Oneida. The building was in disrepair and had been vacant for several years. Its location and history, however, were ideal for this purpose. The building, located in the center of the downtown section of the City of Oneida, held fond memories and a lot of history for many area people who frequented the Kallet when it was a movie theater.

An outgrowth of the task force was the creation of the Greater Oneida Civic Center, Inc. This non-profit organization was designed to be run by a volunteer Board of Directors whose responsibility would be to renovate the building and oversee the ongoing operations of the center.

In February 1983, The Greater Oneida Civic Center, Inc., (a/k/a The Kallet Civic Center), leased the Kallet from the City of Oneida and began to renovate the building. Volunteers from all walks of life joined together to bring the building up to code and make it usable for public events. The Center opened on April 16, 1983, and hosted 24 events in it first three months of operation.

Today... In April 2007, the Board of Directors decided to start a multi-stage campaign with Phase I dedicated to raising $15,000 to replace the side curtains on the north and south interior walls of the Center. Through the generosity of the community, Oneida Savings Bank, and the Gorman Foundation, the Board raised enough money for the curtains.

The Board then moved on to Phases II and III of the campaign. Phase II called for replacement of the carpeting in the foyer and lobby areas, and Phase III was dedicated to raising funds to refinish the 7,000 square foot hardwood floor is the focal point of the building. Dances and receptions are popular events at the Kallet Civic Center, so this improvement was high on the Board's wish list. Thanks to the Central New York Community Foundation, Inc. and other supporters of the Civic Center, the Board successfully raised the funds to complete both Phases II and III. The carpeting was installed, and the hard wood floor was refinished in January 2009.

Board members and volunteers have painted and cleaned the interior of the Civic Center. The newly painted walls, side curtains, and the carpet have provided a real facelift, but the refinishing of the hardwood floor makes the interior look truly spectacular. These upgrades have not only made the building a more desirable, multi-functional rental space, but have also improved the building's acoustics and done so much to restore the beauty and elegance of the 71-year old former theater.

Offering plenty of free parking, The Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center is an excellent facility to rent for business meetings and expos, concerts, wedding receptions, reunions, dances, and craft shows. Recently, The Gorman Foundation has granted funds to the Civic Center to purchase additional tables and chairs. This now makes it possible to provide additional seating required for larger functions.

Renting the Kallet Civic Center is truly a bargain. With a building rental fee of only $400 for 5 hours, the Center also includes free use of the marquee for one day. Each additional hour over the 5-hour period is $75. You can also rent the marquee to announce a special day or event for $25 for the first day, and $10 for each additional day.

Please help us in our goal to become self-sustaining by attending our functions, telling your friends about us, and hosting your next event at the Greater Oneida Kallet Civic Center.

The Board tries very hard to sponsor as many events as possible at the Civic Center, but it is difficult when we have so few volunteers. Sign up to volunteer some of your time to help us keep the Kallet open.

This is YOUR Civic Center - please call the Kallet at 315.363.8525 for more information on upcoming events, rentals, and how YOU can become a volunteer.