The Webster Theater's parapet walls — the low protective walls along the edge of the roof — are in need of repair, Jeff Pingel says. The HERO board, which renovated and runs the movie theater in downtown Webster City, needs financial support to take care of those repairs before the roof of the historic building can be replaced.

Patrons want to know what movies are coming to the big screen downtown, but they also need to know that the building the Webster Theater calls home is facing thousands of dollars of unexpected masonry repairs.

It all started with a roof inspection, said Jeff Pingel, a HERO — Help Entertain and Restore Organization — board member.

“This past summer Jerry Widick was doing one of his regular roof inspections for us — thank you, Jerry — and he let us know it’s probably time to think about replacing it as it was installed around 1985 and is really only intended to last 20 or so years,” Pingel said.

“I got a roofer to come give us a quote, but there were some other issues he pointed out that needed to be addressed before a roof can be installed.”

Pingel said, “If it were just an issue of replacing a roof we would be in a good position. Unfortunately that’s not the case.”

Now HERO, the nonprofit that saved and reopened the downtown Webster City business in 2014, is looking for unanticipated financial support, he said.

“I got a mason to come take a look and it turns out we need to rebuild the west parapet, modify the south parapet for better drainage, tuck point the north parapet before we can even think about a roof. On top of that, the south wall is in need of repair and the north wall needs restoration work.”

He added, “On top of that, the marquee is starting to take on water, causing the neon to go out intermittently.”

In the nine years since HERO reopened the theater, “we have always relied on the generosity of others to make ends meet and keep prices low so everyone can enjoy the experience,” Pingel said.

It is continuing generosity that is needed now, he said.

“J Watts Electric has moved our electric service. We have gotten donations from Square Inc., Van Diest Supply and Black Hills Energy. We have privately asked a few other companies in town also. We are currently writing grants, but we have a long way to go.”

Estimates say the parapets and rear work may cost $41,500.

The roof is projected to cost $59,950.

Pingel said the front work will likely have to wait until 2025; its cost could be in the $50,000 world.

He said the marquee and interior water damage, though this is no official estimate, could cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, “pending the extent of damage.”

The building that houses the movie theater was built in 1906. The marquee went up about 80 years ago.

“The project is going to take a community effort similar to when we first started 10 years ago,” Pingel said.

In person donations can be accepted at the Webster Theater, 610 Second St., Webster City; by mail to Webster Theater, 610 Second St., Webster City, IA 50595; or online at http://www.webstertheater.org/donate/.