The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts has been selected to compete in a national voting competition with over 100 cities all across the United States. The theatre, with help from the Downtown Development District Executive Director Terry Lynn Smith, made the first cut of over 265 cities that submitted “a place that matters” to compete in the competition.

Smith wrote a narrative stating why she and the Hammond Downtown Development District believed that the Columbia Theatre was a place that mattered, and sent it in hoping the National Trust for Historic Preservation agreed. The Columbia Theatre had no idea of their entry.

“The people at Columbia were thrilled when they found out,” said Smith.

This award, should the theatre receive it, comes with a $25,000 first prize, a $10,000 second prize and a $5,000 third prize. At the time of publication, the Columbia Theatre ranks in the 30th place.

The award could mean good things for the Columbia Theatre. The prize money would enable the theatre to provide even more for the local community, but the benefits are far more extensive than just money.

“It’s exposure,” said Smith. “The more people that realize there are so many plays, theatrical presentations and bands, the more they can enjoy it. It’s important for people to know what is here. This brings a lot of attention to somewhere that needs it and deserves it. It’s important for the community.”

Representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation judged the first round of the competition and selected 100 participants.

“I am thrilled the Columbia Theatre is being recognized for its role in helping to create and maintain a vibrant cultural scene in downtown Hammond,” said Dr. Kenneth Boulton, interim director of Columbia Theatre. “The Columbia holds a special place in the lives of so many people in our region. Indeed, there is no other venue quite like it.”

The second and final round, where prizes will be awarded, will be based on votes from individuals on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Web site. Everyone with an e-mail address is eligible to vote. You can vote or find out more at www.preservationnation.org.

“I hope the community will rally around Hammond and the Columbia Theatre, in celebration of the quality of life we enjoy here,” said Boulton.

The “Places that Matter” award’s purpose is to provide recognition and to protect historically important and community-oriented places across the United States. These places add significantly to the culture of the community. This award has been in place since 2008, but was only awarded during the month of May in honor of Preservation Month. The award became so popular in the recent years that the National Trust for Historic Preservation decided to bring the competition back on a monthly basis.