OUR OPINION: Thompson Theatre is the center of N.C. State’s performing arts and should reflect its history and bright future.

Despite a six-week setback due to conditions with original flooring and steel support beams in Thompson Theatre, the building is still scheduled to open in the fall of 2009 as planned.While any news of a delay may cause concern, Thompson Theatre is a part of the University’s history and the future home of its performing arts. University administrators should do as much as possible to preserve the theater’s history while providing a place for performing arts to build strong community ties.Alex Miller, associate vice chancellor, said the 82-year-old building was overdue for repairs to bring it up to present building codes. Thompson Theatre desperately needed repair — handicapped access was extremely limited and an unfortunate lack of soundproofing made holding two performances in the building impossible.The University has done an excellent job in properly evaluating the costs and restoring Thompson Theatre to comply with building codes. Miller said the University has been extremely fortunate in securing reasonable contract bids, quality work and excellent design, while only having a six-week delay on the renovation of an 82-year-old building.Still, the University needs to consider ways to reduce the direct costs to students while paying the $16.5 million price tag — it should continue to pursue private funding or tap into the Achieve! campaign funds to cover repair costs.He also said current and future students will still have a sense of the history of Thompson Theatre — it was the University’s original gymnasium and later served as a multipurpose building until University Theater and the Craft Center moved in. To that end, Miller said the Everett Case lobby is a central part of preserving the building’s history — it will be filled with pictures and memorabilia describing the previous occupants of Thompson.Ultimately, Thompson Theatre will house the University’s performing arts and crafts center. The performing arts are not just something for professors and liberal arts majors to attend and discuss. The renovations should reflect the building’s extensive history while providing an architecturally appealing home for University Theater and the Craft Center.The various plays, performances and arts programs that will be held in Thompson Theatre give the University an opportunity to connect with the local community and establish a long overdue culture and tradition beyond academics and athletics.