HERO super volunteers and board members, from left, Jeff Pingel, Kay Ross, and Deb and Lynn Jaycox, take a break under the new popcorn box logo over the Webster's concession counter. Rich shades of red predominate in the lobby's new carpet and walls.

November 29, 2023, was a dark day in Webster City. A fire on the second floor of 608 Second Street was discovered just after 1 p.m. Then, the worst was confirmed: though multiple fire departments had stopped the flames from spreading to the Webster Theater next door, it had filled with water and smoke.

With timely and capable help from fire departments in three counties, the fire was declared controlled at 4.10 pm.

That the theater was saved is notable. Even miraculous.

But the story has grown: The stylish, state-of-the-art theater opening tonight is a far cry from the one that closed that fateful November day. With a new projector, screen, seating, sound system, carpet and lighting, the auditorium, which wasn’t remodeled in the 2013-14 renovations, now offers a movie-going experience that will compare with the state’s finest.

That November, with winter on the way and the condition of the theater’s roof unknown, repairing the roof was obviously the first order of business.

Obvious, maybe, but not necessarily feasible.

Before it would authorize any work, anywhere on the building, the theater’s insurance company ordered an engineering review to determine the soundness of the more-than-100-year-old building.

Such investigations take time. But when three months after the blaze there was no sign of progress, rumors began circulating: the theater was beyond repair; restoration would cost too much; and, in the end, we’d still have an old building, vulnerable to further catastrophe.

The Webster would have to be torn down.

Thankfully, all that was just a rumor.

The engineer’s report conveyed terrible news. The theater’s entire north wall, the one facing Second Street, was out of plumb, leaning perilously and, without repairs, would collapse. Until it was stabilized, there could be no new roof, and no work on the devastated auditorium.

“That cost $105,000, and wasn’t covered bv insurance,” Jeff Pingel said. He’s a member of the Help Restore and Entertain Organization — HERO — the group of stalwart volunteers who run the theater, and directed its restoration.

Kay Ross, long-time HERO board member and volunteer, said, “We knew we had to have a serious fundraiser. We went to the Hotel/Motel tax board and they gave us money. Enhance Hamilton County also gave a donation. Two private, anonymous donors really came through for us. When it was over, Webster City raised $200,000 to save this theater — again. I can’t thank them enough.”

The theater’s admirers aren’t all in Webster City, Hamilton County or even Iowa.

“Square, our credit card processor, headquartered in San Francisco, gave us $10,000,” Ross said.

Square also paid for “Made in Iowa,” the film about the spirit of Webster City, contrasting the closure of the Electrolux factory and re-opening of the Webster Theater the first time. Produced to a high standard, the film earned attention across the country.

A week ago, the new projector, made in Belgium, was being installed. Instead of a bulb, it uses lasers to project an image.

Pingel remembers, “We paid $1,200 for each bulb for our last projector, and they never lasted very long. This is an upgrade.”

The “silver screen” has become a moniker for the entire motion picture industry, but the Webster’s new screen is literally silver. White screens are fine for ordinary films, but to show 3D movies, silver screens are a must. Made in Canada, the screen cost $15,000 and is thought to be the second-largest single projection screen in Iowa.

The new sound system is a Dolby 7.1, seven-channel surround system. Speakers hang on the auditorium’s three walls to provide more realistic, immersive sound. In addition, three huge speakers are located directly behind the screen.

One hundred new, gray leather-like reclining seats provide an elevated standard of comfort for theater patrons. Made in Michigan, they’re arranged in seven rows, accessed by aisles on either side.

Ross conceded, “One hundred seats is OK for most showings, but we’ll set up folding chairs to accommodate school groups, something I consider important to our mission and tradition here.”

Some things haven’t changed. C. Cretors & Company, the firm that “invented popcorn machines” in 1885, still makes them in its Chicago factory and just shipped a shiny new popper to the Webster. There’ll be Pepsi Products soft drinks and the old-standby boxed and bagged theater candy that, for many, is an essential part of seeing a movie in a theater.

And, while there may be no free lunch, there will still be free popcorn night at the Webster. It will be Wednesday nights thanks to its sponsor, People’s Credit Union.

Given all the improvements to the beloved movie theater, a moviegoer might expect to pay more. And they’d be right. But not much more. Ticket prices will now be $5 for adults and $4 for children for 2-D shows; and $7 and $6, respectively, for 3-D shows. Tuesdays, when only 2-D films are shown, all seats will cost $4.

The restoration project was managed by Peterson Construction Co., a Webster City firm. Tracy Wehran served as construction manager and Heather Howard as interior design manager. The materials and colors Howard selected for the theater interior give it a sleek, contemporary look that would be at home in New York, Chicago or San Francisco. It’s difficult to believe it’s the same auditorium that was loved so well for so many years.

Gerald Peterson, president of Peterson Construction, recalls when his company remodeled the front of the Webster Theater in 1970.

“Those brick veneer and rock panels, and bronze-colored frames were the latest look back then,” he said. “They’re still here today, and still look good to me.”

As the Webster prepares to screen Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” tonight, it’s worth remembering an interesting fact: The latest remodeling, which brings to the Webster the most dramatic change in technology, comfort and appearance since it opened in 1906, took 18 months.

To many, it seemed an eternity.

Under the category of history repeating itself, it’s interesting to note that Big Time Cinema, the last commercial operator of the Webster, screened its final picture in May 2013.

HERO re-opened the place in September 2014, 18 months later.

Now, it’s May again.

Time for another opening.

Jeff Pingel stretches out in one of the Webster’s plush new, heated recliners. As comfortable as they are, a new projector and screen and Dolby surround sound mean that few will fall asleep in their cushy confines.

If you’ve never seen a $50,000 movie projector, here’s a glimpse. Jeff Pingel and Kay Ross pose with the Belgian-made BARCO projector that was shoe-horned into the cramped projection room on the Webster’s mezzanine level last week.