Rialto association receives THC tourism grant funds

Rialto association receives
THC tourism grant funds

Austin Kremers photo
Saxophone players Shauniece Hadden (left), Trina Valasquez and Cori Lopez prepare with the rest of the mighty Trojan marching band for the upcoming football season and band contests. Please see our Back to School section inside today’s paper.

- By GARY KENT
Bee-Picayune staff
The Hall-Rialto Preservation Association has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Texas Historical Commission as part of its Heritage Tourism Partnership Grant program.
The local organization was one of seven recipients of $30,000 in grants recently awarded by the THC for the promotion of the Texas Independence Trail Region, a 28-county area that stretches from Guadalupe to Brazoria counties.
The money is earmarked toward helping communities fund products and projects that enhance visitor experience to cultural and historic sites and events throughout the trail region.
The Hall-Rialto organization is involved in restoring the historic Rialto theater in downtown Beeville. The organization recently had a temporary roof replaced on the building with a permanent roof and plans to continue restoration of the facility with the intention of turning into an arts, entertainment and educational center.
“Your organization will receive $5,000 toward the Rialto Theater/Bee County Heritage Tourism Outreach project,” said Program Specialist Amber Nuñez of the Heritage Tourism Project in a letter to Barbara Welder, vice president of the Hall/Rialto organization. “We believe this project will increase awareness of the historical resources found in the Texas Independence Trail Region and will strengthen the region’s desirability as a heritage tourism destination.”
Association board member Dr. John Hester said this week that the Rialto Theater is one of eight Texas theaters on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a Landmark Theater because it was once the home theater of a chain of theaters.
Hester said the design work for the theater is in good hands. Houston architect Barry Moore of Gensler Architects will be in charge of that portion of the project. He is the same architect who did the design work for the restoration of the Majestic Theater in San Antonio.
According to a THC news release, the money granted to the Hall/Rialto project will be used to fund projects, including the development of a brochure and Web site to promote the historic theater.
Other grants went to the Galveston Historical Foundation, San Antonio Living History Association, Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, City of Rosenberg, Palacios Area Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas and Bellville Historical Society.