MISSION — The Rivoli Theater was built in the 1920s, but an upcoming fundraiser has a more modern twist.

“Lebowski on the Lanes,” pays homage to the 1998 film “The Big Lebowski,” where a bowling alley plays a prominent role for avid bowler Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges.

The fundraiser is Saturday, June 8, 6 p.m. at Quaking Aspen Lanes at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

The bowling tournament is $75 for a team of three. Not a bowler? Admission of $20 gains access to the costume contest, trivia, raffle, movie screening and more. Tickets are available online at rivolitheater.org or at the door.

Proceeds from the evening will support restoration of the Rivoli, as well as current community programming that will carry over into the theater once it reopens to the public.

The Rivoli

After construction in the 1920s, the Rivoli Theater welcomed theater performances and vaudeville acts, then was a mainstay movie theater up through the 1980s, said Liza Dadoly, director of development.

Then it closed and sat vacant.

The Rivoli Coalition was founded in 2010 with the mission to turn the Rivoli Theater back into a premier space for performing arts and entertainment. In 2012, the Pendleton Development Commission purchased the theater and donated it to the coalition, according to a timeline at rivolitheater.org.

From there, projects included removing oil tanks from the basement, restoring the facade and removing asbestos.

In 2017, the contract for phase one was awarded to Kirby Nagelhout Construction and that work — removing hazardous materials and adding seismic reinforcements — recently wrapped up, Dadoly said.

Later this year, the coalition will release a request for proposals for phase two.

“The next step is starting to build,” Dadoly said. “We’ll have some functional space after phase two.”

Although historic elements will be incorporated into the final design, she said they haven’t found any interior photos of the original Rivoli to show what it looked like.

The project has relied on grants and community contributions.

“The local funding is essential,” Dadoly said. “That shows the community is invested in the project.”

Once finished, the Rivoli will be a multi-purpose space for performing arts and community events.

“A community-centered space,” Dadoly said.