By Mary Alice Murphy

On Thursday evening, Feb. 26, 2016, the Silco Theater in downtown Silver City opened its doors to an invited group of people, including MainStreet board members, past and present, major donors, smaller donors, the area press cohort, and those involved with the renovation in any way.

The 156 seats filled almost to capacity for the program and especially for the movie, "Mad Max."

The number of seats has, in addition, four spaces specifically set aside for those in wheelchairs.

During a press conference before the program at 6:30, Lucy Whitmarsh, Silver City MainStreet Project manager, said the program before the movie would honor "everyone who has had a principal role in this project."

She introduced David Vesica, architect; PNM's Bruce Ashburn; Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Community Development Manager Kevin Cook; and Jeremiah Garcia, representing Lion's Club.

Ashburn gave a bit of history on the theater. "A few years back, in 1923 to be more accurate, a building opened in Silver City called the Liberty Theater. In 1926, the building was renamed the Silco Theater."

"In 1917, a fledgling energy company incorporated as the Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company," Ashburn continued. "In 1946, that company changed its name to the Public Service Company of New Mexico, or PNM, as its known today."

He said the history lesson showed that PNM and the Silco Theater have been partners in New Mexico and Silver City for many years. "PNM has long believed that we have a responsibility to support and grow New Mexico, especially in areas that we serve, and we are proud of our multi-year partnership with the state MainStreet organization."

He said one of the projects funded in 2015 was an additional $15,000 to the Silco.

"The Silco Project, in conjunction with the city, MainStreet and the state Economic Development Department, gives Silver City something back that it lost some time agoG