It has been eight years, nearly to the day, since the Open Space for Arts & Community hosted its inaugural event on election night in 2008 and this weekend, the “philanthropic initiative” brainchild of Janet McAlpin and David Godsey will host an open house to showcase the first major renovation plans for the island’s space-of-all-trades.

“We are working on large, visual depictions of the changes that are planned,” said Maria Glanz, Open Space’s Director of Communications and Development. “The idea is that people will be able to walk through and visualize where changes will be happening; to walk through the space and give their opinions and ideas.”

The project, currently nearing the end of its permitting process, has come together under the direction of ARC Architects, David Bolin, Express Construction Company and islander Karen Biondo, the Open Space’s project manager. Islanders can look forward to a re-oriented Grand Hall, 100-seat black-box (flexible space for more intimate performances) theater, new classrooms, restrooms, entryway, HVAC system, lighting, sprinkler system, roof and wall insulation, and finishes. All of the renovations are internal — there are no external structural changes planned.

Initial estimates for the cost of the renovation came in at about $1.5 million, but Glanz noted that the final cost will be higher than that, primarily due to the amount of time that has passed since planning began, as well as having a contractor hired and permitting underway.

“When the permits are all set, which should be in about a month or so, we’ll have our final numbers,” she said.

Funding for the venture has come from the venue’s gala fundraiser, The Big O, in June, capital renovations donations via the Open Space’s fiscal sponsor, Seattle Allied Arts, as well as Godsey and McAlpin and other founding donors.

Assuming that permitting is completed next month as anticipated, Glanz said that work is not scheduled to begin until next May.

“We have a lot of things booked already,” she explained. “So we’re anticipating May to September of next year for the work to be done.”

Glanz also noted that outdoor events would continue to be scheduled during the renovation period.

At the heart of it all, the Space’s purpose remains the same: to accommodate islanders’ artistic and community-building experiences.

“We are making this space into a community arts facility that is fun, festive and fabulous,” Glanz said.