THE PLAN

The historic JLJ Auditorium is Napoleon's only indoor venue with permanent seating, quality sound and staging to accommodate larger productions. 

When architectural plans to build a new elementary and middle school included the demolition of this venue, a group of concerned residents formed a nonprofit to gather expert advice on the cost to renovate the facility, and its surrounding components, to develop a multi-purpose center to maintain and revive the quality of life for fellow residents.

Our vision includes a renovation plan that will establish a state-of-the-art community/cultural center with cafeteria and reception hall space, meeting rooms, a visual and performing arts auditorium, and gymnasium areas.  The multi-purpose facility would serve as a gathering place for many residents and community organizations. We recognize there may be multiple phases in such an undertaking including re-establishing occupancy with varied educational programs.

Perspective and Mission

The residents of the Napoleon Area School District voted to work with the Ohio School Facilities Commission to build a new elementary and middle school building located next to the current Napoleon High School campus. The architect’s plans included the demolition of the historic JLJ Auditorium built in 1935 with the rest of the Central Middle School complex. These historic facilities would be replaced at the new site with a gymnatorium, a shared facility between athletics and the performing arts for both junior high and high school. 

Although conveniently located, problems of this new facility consisted of scheduling, awkward access to seating at athletic or musical events, sound/lighting issues, and inadequate seating for larger musical productions or events.

That was when a group of individuals formed the Napoleon Civic Center foundation to save this beautiful historic building to benefit all residents. Goals include:

• To seek, accept, and properly manage gifts to restore, renovate and ensure the continued success of the Napoleon Civic Center.
• To oversee the renovation of the auditorium and classroom structures to meet the proposed needs of the civic center.
• To encourage the use of the facility by community organizations, senior citizens, school and government entities, and local arts organizations.
• To establish ways to maintain, in perpetuity, the civic center for the benefit of the residents of Henry County.