Even with the MACC's primary fundraising source unknown at this point, one thing is certain: the nearly century-old building's sprinkler system needs to be replaced. That project alone is expected to cost around $100,000.
The town has approximately $30,000 in the bank earmarked for that purpose.
"Do I believe the town will make the funds available to make the MACC a safe and secure building? I believe it will," said Councilman Dick Gee, the Town Council's liaison for the Mountain Arts Community Center.
"It goes back to the perception of the town whether the MACC is a vital part of town. I'm telling you, the awareness of MACC and its contributions to the quality of life on Signal Mountain are significantly different today than it was two years ago. It's proving its worth. There's always people there; there's something going on all the time."
With the recent purchase of new seats for the auditorium, Gee said he hopes the venue can become more of an income generator. Ideas are being considered that would make the MACC more of an entertainment destination, he said, using Barking Legs as an example.
MACC Director Barb Storm noted that although not up to fire code, it is not illegal to have people in the building, which does have properly working emergency lights and fire alarms. During special assemblies, someone must continuously walk the building to make sure there aren't any indications of fire anywhere.
"We're legal, we just can't afford to have staff have to do that for every assembly," Storm said. "I'd prefer to have a sprinkler system and staff can just do what they need to do."
Local architect and resident Ed Garbee is working pro bono to draft engineering plans to submit to the state fire marshal, who has not given a deadline for completion of the upgrade, Storm said.
In the meantime, the Water Department is working to ensure there is enough water pressure to supply the system. Gee said it is hoped all the plans will be completed and the project ready for bid by the time budget talks commence in June.
Storm is in the process of applying for two different grants, one that does not have a cap or required match by the town, and one that is up to a $50,000 matching grant.
"I don't know that it will become a self-sustaining entity," Gee said of the MACC. "I think it will always need town help. It's an old building and needs maintenance and repair pretty much on a constant basis. The MACC is going to survive it looks like, and if it's going to survive, the town - and when I say town I don't mean the Town Council - the community is going to have to recognize a greater level of financial responsibility."