'Save the Dome' Nonprofit Dissolved, Cash Donated to San Jose Theaters

The nonprofit organization, "Save the Pleasant Hill Dome Theater," has been in a state of mournful silence since the 46-year-old theater was demolished in May. But now they're back with a single message: not again.

After raising momentum and money for what turned out to be a lost cause, "Save the Dome" has decided to channel its resources into a new mission — to save the first "dome" theaters ever built in the Bay Area. 

The Winchester "domes," as they are commonly called, were designed by San Francisco architect Vincent Raney and opened in 1964 in an effort to draw television watchers back to cinema, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal. Now they face the same fate as Pleasant Hill's "dome," with developers trying to rezone the commercial property as an "urban village."

The following message was sent to "Save the Dome" email subscribers Tuesday:

Dear Save the Pleasant Hill Dome Supporters,

This message is being sent to everyone who signed our petition to Save the Dome or volunteered to help save the theater. Many of you may have been wondering what we're up to. Please accept our apology for the long period without any communication.

After the theater was demolished on May 8th, it took us some time to figure out what to do next. We were so disappointed that we couldn't save the theater after working harder on this project than we thought possible. The efforts you made show how important historical preservation and independent film are to this community.

We're now in the process of dissolving the nonprofit corporation we formed. Most of the money we raised went for legal fees, but there was some left over. We're donating the remaining funds to the Preservation Action Council of San Jose (www.preservation.org), a 20-year-old organization currently working to save their Vincent G. Raney dome theaters that are under threat from redevelopment. The Council has made saving the San Jose domes a top priority, carrying on the spirit of the work we did in Pleasant Hill.

If you would like to sign a petition to support this project, here's the link: www.change.org/petitions/save-the-winchester-domes

Although we close this chapter in our lives, many members of our movement continue the fight to save historic movie theaters and to promote the arts in Pleasant Hill and Contra Costa County. We need you to stay engaged and be involved. News and events will be posted on our Save the Pleasant Hill Dome website: www.savethedome.org

We'll be revamping our site as a tribute to our beloved theater. If you have any photos and memories about the Dome movie theater, please send them to: silverscreen@savethedome.org 

Thank you for standing up for cultural arts and historical preservation in Contra Costa County.

Sincerely,

Save the Pleasant Hill Dome

Do you think the Winchester "domes" should be saved? Is this a good mission for the "Save the Pleasant Hill Dome" group? Share your thoughts in the comments below.