​The Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts believes that increasing access to our facility is an essential step toward including elderly and disabled members of our community who might otherwise suffer from isolation. Right now, community members with disabilities or elderly persons who find the steep stairway to our theater (located on the second floor of the Ontonagon Township Memorial Building) intimidating are unable to join others for programs and presentations. OTPA cares about our community’s health. We believe enabling more seniors and those with disabilities to interact with the community will, in turn, increase the overall health and well-being of everyone within the community. We wholeheartedly believe a community’s strength can be directly measured by how that community treats its most vulnerable members.​​​​​​​​

Senior and disabled person isolation is a serious issue in today’s society. Our main goal with the elevator lift project is to make the theater more accessible to seniors and the disabled in our community so they are included in community events, presentations, and performances. About 32% of Ontonagon County's population is made up of seniors 65 years and older. Over 850 households in Ontonagon County have someone with a disability. Many seniors and those with disabilities are reluctant to gather in a place that is difficult to access. The reluctance to go out into the community can be a vicious cycle leading to isolation which, in turn, may cause depression and other serious issues. We want to dismantle the barriers that keep our elderly and disabled community members from attending theater events, presentations, and performances. By increasing access to our facility, we hope to make it more practical and less complicated for the elderly and those with disabilities to visit The Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts.​​​

Below you can view the most recent architectural plans that have been drafted. The lift will potentially be located within the vestibule (the main entrance) of the Ontonagon Township Memorial Building.

As an organization, our biggest strength is community support. Time and time again, individuals, businesses, and government entities have supported the Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts and its efforts.  Although our organization is mainly comprised of volunteers, our volunteers are dedicated and motivated to complete this project. From fundraising efforts to getting their hands dirty in the construction process, the commitment of our volunteers is unquestionable. To date, volunteers have raised over $18,000 for this project. ​​​

Individuals who have donated over $300 are considered  "Elevator Sponsors". The following sponsors are the foundation of making this project a reality and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts​