Throughout the summer and fall, islanders have noticed a big project underway at Vashon Theatre — the creation of an outdoor plaza, expanding the historic movie theater’s footprint into the theater’s former parking lot.

When construction is complete, the plaza’s centerpiece will be a freestanding, shaded metal structure that will support a stage and LED video wall measuring 32 feet wide by 18 feet high.

Rigging for the lighting and shade structures is now installed — and passersby are also being treated to occasional evening light displays from the metal beams.

It’s a milestone for the project, which is still far from complete. Remaining to be installed are a tiled “Walk of Fame,” at the entryway to the theater building, as well as the plaza’s stage and a video wall.

Owner Eileen Wolcott said the undertaking, dubbed “The Back Lot at the Vashon Theatre,” has been arduous.

“The outdoor plaza area has been the most challenging undertaking, arguably in our history with the theater, including the year we were closed,” she said. “Supply chain issues, COVID, and continuous delays have really tested us to the limit.”

Despite the challenges, she and her son, Jake Wolcott, remain committed and optimistic.

“Even now, we are all continuing to work our hardest to make it happen,” she said.

Construction of the outdoor space — which the family hopes to open soon in a limited capacity and more fully in the spring and summer of 2023 — is being overseen by Simon Clark, an islander with decades of experience in entertainment industry production design.

Courtyard-style, the plaza will have room for cafe seating and expanded outdoor beverage, snack and dining options provided by the theater staff and other local food purveyors.

Eileen and Jake envision that several wooden booths will line the perimeter of the space, serving as stalls and kiosks where small businesses can sell wares and offer services.

A parking area on the north side of the building will have space for 12 spots, and the Sheffield family has donated a large bike rack.

The entry to the outdoor space from the theater will soon feature a “Walk of Fame” — a tiled area that served as a fundraiser for the new outdoor space earlier this year.

The fundraiser was a success and sold out before the given deadline, raising vital funds dedicated to realizing the Wolcott family’s vision for the outdoor venue.

A total of 1,100 customizable tiles were purchased by community members, enabling the start of construction on the plaza project. Island company LEAP Design oversaw the engraving, which is now complete, and the layout of that section of the theater’s entryway has already begun.

The theater will host a private event for contributors when the work is completed, Wolcott said.

Eileen also said she expects to host occasional events in the plaza throughout the winter, during the wait for better weather to complete the installation of the video wall and stage.

Events, both public and private, might include a Halloween event, a holiday market, or other seasonal community celebrations.

Diversifying operations and increasing attendance at the theater is critical to its survival, Eileen said, who added that attendance is still down in comparison to 2019, before the start of the pandemic.

But now, she said, her eye is on the prize of finishing the new space, and the beginning of a new chapter in the theater’s long history on Vashon.

“I’m very hopeful and excited to get to the finish line – then we really begin,” she said.