What could a true community gathering place mean for Smith Mountain Lake?

Imagine stepping into a welcoming gallery space filled with local art. A café where neighbors meet before a show. A dedicated theater designed for live performances. Two additional theaters that continue showing movies. Classrooms where students of all ages learn, rehearse, collaborate and grow.

This is the vision guiding The Smith Mountain Lake Center.

We are working to transform Westlake Cinema into a place where people can come together to learn, to perform, to enjoy and to belong. The building already serves as a familiar destination for movies. Our goal is to expand what’s possible within that space — preserving film while creating room for education, arts programming, meetings, and community events.

This is not a finished project. It is an active effort that depends on community support.

The rendering above illustrates how the space could feel: warm, welcoming, and designed for connection. A place where families attend performances together. Where students rehearse in dedicated classrooms. Where nonprofit groups gather. Where neighbors linger in conversation.

Every thriving community has a central space that brings people together. At Smith Mountain Lake, that opportunity is within reach.

The next steps involve continued fundraising, thoughtful planning, and broad community engagement. As progress continues, we will share updates, timelines, and opportunities to get involved.

This vision is still taking shape, and community input matters. As planning and fundraising continue, we’ll share updates, milestones and opportunities to get involved.

If this idea resonates with you, we invite you to stay connected. Reach out, ask questions, and let us know you’re interested in following the progress. You can contact us directly through the form at smlcenter.org/contact-us/

Together, we can build a place where our community comes to learn, to perform, to enjoy, and to belong.