Expanding Secrest Auditorium

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The City of Zanesville is currently expanding Secrest Auditorium, which opened in 1941, and happens to be the largest indoor entertainment venue between Pittsburgh and Columbus.

The renovations will include a 20,000 square feet expansion along with improved ADA access and modern amenities that will better serve its guests long into the 21st-Century.  

“The $6.4 Million has helped us remove the entrance ramp that was on the south and we actually placed in about 1985-86. And we’re going to replace it… I’ll just call it a covered dome or lobby. Inside will be… elevator, escalator and a mingling place so that as you come in to go to a concert, you have the opportunity to either buy vendor goods, soft drinks, beverages, whatever you want, before you go into the show,” Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said.

The Secrest renovations are primarily covered by grants and donations from federal, state and local agencies and organizations, who see Zanesville as a place worthy of investment. The multimillion dollar venture is scheduled to be completed in October 2026.

“So this is a locally led project here in the city of Zanesville with an incredible amount of support. Governor DeWine is just really happy to be able to support this project, to make it a reality. It’s a $6.4 million dollar grant from the rather large Appalachian Community Grant program. Oh, I’m pumped to see this happen. This is something they’ve been working on for several years and so the timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said.

The Secrest renovations are part of a larger, $30 Million Dollar effort to revitalize the northern downtown that will not only add appeal for visitors but add greater convenience for area residents.