FUNDING for the plans for the  restoration of Panama’s Teatro Nacional (National Theatre) will be fast tracked by the The Office of the Comptroller General after a 10 year hiatus in restoration procedures.

The announcement followed the National Institute of Culture (INAC) endorsing  a contract with the Technological University of Panama (UTP) for studies and analysis of the project.

Comptroller General Federico Humbert said   that the contract was given the urgency and speed it deserves, because  “We cannot allow this theater "further deterioration".
The Teatro Nacional,one of the most emblematic buildings of Casco Viejo, in the has been , is closed to the public since last June due to problems with the infrastructure.
Humbert has worked closely with INAC on the endorsement for the earliest possible start of the restoration of “this historic architectural jewel”   says a  press release.

The assessment by the UTP will last about three months. Once the plans have been delivered INAC will be  seeking funding for the repairs which are expected to cost more than $10 million.

Meanwhile, figures from the theater, opera and ballet are urging the authorities to ensure the availability of the site as soon as practicable.

The theatre which was opened on October 1 1908 has a 853 seating capacity with an auditoriu, orchestra pit and upper galleries.